The Emergency Support for Rural Livelihoods and Food Systems Exposed to Covid-19 (ESRF) project has handed over boreholes to six communities in the Atebubu-Amantin municipality. Funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the initiative aims to address water scarcity and improve rural livelihoods.
The beneficiary communities include Nyomoase, Nyansibu, Issifu Ekura, Densi, Jato Zongo, and Kitikrom. Each community received a borehole to ensure access to clean and safe water.
Dr. Salia Hussein, the Finance Manager representing the project coordinator, explained that the ESRF project initially provided personal protective equipment (PPE) to combat Covid-19. However, as the pandemic subsided, the project redirected resources to critical infrastructure like boreholes to maximize the impact of donor funds.
Dr. Salia emphasized the importance of community involvement in maintaining the boreholes. He urged the municipal assembly and traditional authorities to support local committees tasked with overseeing the facilities.
Hon. Edward Owusu, the Municipal Chief Executive of Atebubu-Amantin, called on community members to take ownership of the boreholes to ensure their longevity. As a gesture of support, he pledged to cover the operational costs of all six boreholes for the next six months, allowing beneficiaries to access water for free during this period.
Representatives from the beneficiary communities, including traditional leaders and assembly members, expressed gratitude to the government for the intervention. They highlighted how the boreholes would alleviate the long-standing water challenges faced in the municipality.
The handover ceremony was attended by officials from the Municipal Directorate of Agriculture, led by Mr. Bright Atta Boateng, as well as executives from the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
