By Erica Apeatua Addo
Bankyiem (W/R), Mar. 30, GNA- Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF) has constructed a 40,000-liter water facility to address the persistent water crisis at Fiaseman Senior High School (FIASEC) and ensure students have access to clean and reliable water.
The project worth $17,000 include, a newly drilled borehole, a submersible pump, filtration system, concrete structure, poly tanks for storage, and pipes that supplied water to the boys and girls dormitories, as well as the kitchen.
Delivering an address at the commissioning ceremony, which coincided with this year’s World Water Day, Mr Abdel Razak Yakubu, the Executive Secretary, GFGF, said in the past, students could easily access water from nearby natural sources, but today they faced health risks from waterborne infections and other medical conditions if they did so.
He said to resolve the issue, the headmaster of FIASEC reached out to the Foundation a few years ago for assistance in providing a reliable water source for the school.
“Our Foundation’s initial scope was limited to our host communities, but due to the urgent need and intervention by some individuals, we decided to extend our support to FIASEC.
Having seen the needs here, we hope to make further requests to the GFGF board to expand our support and address even more challenges” Mr Yakubu stated
The executive secretary said they would continue discussions with the Electricity Company of Ghana to explore the possibility of switching from a prepaid to a postpaid metering system, which could simplify management for the school.
He announced that “We will ensure you are not burdened with a large electricity bill. We will provide at least three months’ worth of credits or units, giving you time to plan and raise funds for future bills”
Mr Yakubu emphasized that maintenance was very important to the Foundation, adding “As we look forwards to do other projects, we would not want to be called to repair the one that has already been done. We need to channel the resource into newer projects, rather than coming back to fix the ones that have been done”
He, therefore, called on the headteacher and management of the institution to form a committee to find ways to fund the facility’s maintenance.
Touching on the theme for this year’s celebration, “Glacier Preservation” Madam Linda Dedoo, an Extension and Commercial Services Specialist, Community Water and Sanitation Agency, urged everyone to unite to preserve their water sources, protect their ecosystem, and ensure everyone had access to clean water.
She explained that “Over the last two months, we have made eight drilling attempts in Agona, but all were unsuccessful, yielding dry wells. This alarming trend highlights the need for a closer look at our water conservation strategies”
Madam Dedoo added that as climate change made water access increasingly challenging, Ghanaians should become water conservation champions and ensure sustainable water management for future generations.
Mrs Catherine Andoh-Mensah, Municipal Director of Education, Tarkwa Nsuaem, stressed that, “Let us not forget the struggles we have faced, from waking up early to scouring the school and its surroundings for water, just to get ready for classes”.
She assured the GFGF that the Parent, Teacher Association, board members, and school management would work together to ensure the project’s sustainability and longevity.
Mr John Kofi Sagoe, Headteacher of FIASEC, recalled that the school had faced challenges in securing a sustainable water supply to support its growing student population and operational needs over the years.
According to him, “while this water project has significantly improved our situation, we still face other pressing infrastructure challenges, including the need for a place of convenience for the boys, staff accommodation, a modern science laboratory and improved Information Communication Technology facilities.
Mr Sagoe thanked the GFGF for their kindness and called on corporate institutions, Non-Governmental Organizations, and individuals, to follow this excellent example to support FIASEC in delivering quality education.
World Water Day is celebrated annually on March 22 to draw attention to the importance of freshwater and advocate sustainable management of water resources.
GNA
JP /AD