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The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Techiman North, Hon. Adom Kwabena Johnson, has inaugurated a 15-member board to oversee the Aworowa/Akrofrom Water and Sanitation Development Project.
The new board was formed pursuant to Section 4 of the Model By-law for the Establishment and Operation of Water and Sanitation Boards within the District. Under the provision, members will serve a tenure of four years, subject to good behaviour, and are eligible to serve a maximum of two four-year terms.
The board, made up of representatives from the two beneficiary communities, is tasked to ensure the smooth running of the project, recover unpaid bills, acquire necessary logistics, and work towards extending water services to other parts of the community.
The members inaugurated are: Hon. Bernard Kwame Asante, Hon. Yeboah Bismark, Asem Amos, Nana Effah Twenefo, Ayatagba Hannah Alhassan, Elizabeth Amponsah, Hon. Romeo Obeng, Martin Kofi Yeboah, Nana Agyei Kyeremeh, Lydia Faah, Hon. Seth Asah Korsah, Dickson M. Zuttah, Samuel E. Adzraku, Angela Deleka, and Akua Serwaa Ameyaw.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Hon. Johnson explained that the decision to reconstitute the board followed an audit which revealed serious challenges with the management of the project. According to him, the previous board had overstayed its mandate and was struggling to deliver efficient services due to mismanagement and huge unpaid water bills by residents.
“When I became the DCE, I received many petitions from residents of Aworowa concerning their water system. As a result, I invited the then Board and management of the Aworowa/Akrofrom Water and Sanitation Development Project.
“After our engagement, it became clear that there were serious challenges facing both the management and the Board. The traditional leaders in both communities also briefed me about the difficulties they had encountered regarding water.
“I therefore requested an audit into the activities of the Aworowa/Akrofrom Water and Sanitation Development Board. The auditors’ first recommendation was that the Board members had overstayed their tenure. Based on this, we had to immediately dissolve the Board and tasked the staff to temporarily take over the management of the water system.
“In line with the assembly’s by-laws, I wrote to the various communities requesting their representatives so that we could form a new Board. Today, we are here to inaugurate a 15-member Board for the Aworowa/Akrofrom Water and Sanitation Development Project.” He stated.
Hon. Adom Johnson assured the new board of the Assembly’s full support but warned them against inefficiencies, stressing that residents deserved reliable water services.
“Going forward, as the DCE, I will ensure that things are properly streamlined so that the new Board does not repeat the mistakes of the old one. We do not want inefficiencies to occur again. The assembly will work closely with the new Board, and as long as I serve as District Chief Executive for Techiman North, I will make sure the right things are done for residents of Aworowa and Akrofrom to have a stable water supply.”
The District Chief Executive of Techiman North further charged the newly inaugurated Aworowa Water and Sanitation Board to prioritize revenue mobilization and service delivery. He revealed that the audit report showed many residents owed water bills, a situation that contributed to the inefficiency of the previous board. He therefore urged the new 15-member board to recover the outstanding debts, acquire the necessary logistics, and work towards extending water services to other areas in the community.
“From the auditors’ report, we also discovered that many people owed water bills, and failure to pay contributed to the inefficiency of the previous Board. I therefore expect the new Board to recover the money, purchase the necessary logistics, and work to extend water services to other areas in the community.” He stated.
On behalf of the board, Chairman Nana Effah Twenefo pledged that members would carry out their duties with honesty and dedication to ensure stable water supply for the communities.
He disclosed that the board would work closely with the District Assembly and traditional leaders of the two beneficiary communities to ensure transparency and efficiency in the discharge of their duties
“I always maintain that a good name is better than riches. On behalf of the Board, I pledge that we will carry out our duties with honesty and sincerity to ensure that residents who depend on the project enjoy a stable water supply.
“We will also collaborate with the Municipal Assembly to ensure that everything is done properly. As Board members, we are determined to leave behind a good legacy, and we will not engage in anything that will bring the name of the Board into disrepute.” He said.
The Chief of Aworowa Nana Yeboah Kokwa, urged members of the newly inaugurated Aworowa Water and Sanitation Board to prioritize the welfare of residents in Aworowa and Akrofrom over personal gains. He cautioned that board meetings should not be reduced to discussions about salaries and allowances, stressing that the President is “resetting things,” and the new board must also help improve the community’s water project.
“As Board members, the welfare of the people of Aworowa and Akrofrom should be your priority. You should not attend meetings merely to determine fat salaries and allowances. The President is resetting things, and as Board members, you also have a duty to help reset and improve the water project.” He said.
Addressing the board chairman, Nana Twenefo, the Chief of Aworowa advised him to avoid sole-sourcing and ensure that all decisions are collectively approved by members. He warned that he would not shield him from the consequences of unlawful actions, despite being his advisor.
Nana Yeboah Kokwa further expressed confidence that the board would work closely with the District Assembly and traditional leaders. He assured the members of the chiefs’ support when needed but urged them to maintain transparency and keep the public informed, since residents are also stakeholders in the water project.
“To Nana Twenefo, the Board Chairman, I urge you to work closely with the rest of the members and avoid sole-sourcing. Every decision must be approved by the Board. I will not defend you simply because you are my advisor if you act contrary to the law.
“I strongly believe you will work closely with the Assembly and with us, the traditional leaders. Whenever it becomes necessary for us to support you, we will not hesitate. Please do not hide anything from the public, because they are also stakeholders and deserve to know whatever happens concerning the water project.” He stated.
Source: Ghanaweb.mobi
