Nadowli: Over 100,000 residents in the Nadowli and Nandom communities in the Upper West Region now have access to clean drinking water following a significant initiative by Guinness Ghana Breweries PLC and WaterAid Ghana. Through the construction of Small-Town Water Systems (STWSs), the two organizations have ensured a reliable water supply, expected to produce more than 200,000 cubic meters annually – with over 78,000 cubic meters in Nadowli and 125,000 in Nandom. This development is set to supplement existing water sources and alleviate long-standing water challenges in these areas.
According to Ghana News Agency, the project, funded by Guinness Ghana under its ‘Water for Life’ initiative, is part of its ‘Spirit of Progress’ sustainability strategy aimed at replenishing water used in its operations and giving back to communities. At the commissioning ceremony in Nadowli, Ms. Ewurabena Yanyi-Akofur, the Country Director of WaterAid Ghana, highlighted the importance of partnerships in delivering safe drinking water. She expressed gratitude to the Nadowli-Kaleo District Assembly, local chiefs, the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), Interplast Limited, and other stakeholders for their support in ensuring the project’s success.
Ms. Sylvia Owusu-Ankomah, the Corporate Relations Director at Guinness Ghana, reiterated the company’s commitment to addressing water access issues in vulnerable communities. She noted that in the past five years, Guinness Ghana has commissioned 13 water systems across the country, primarily in the Upper East and Upper West Regions. She emphasized the company’s goal of improving community livelihoods and ensuring healthcare facilities have clean water to support the treatment of pregnant women and other vulnerable groups.
Ms. Owusu-Ankomah further explained that Guinness Ghana is deliberate in its site selection, focusing on communities where local raw materials like sorghum and maize are sourced. This strategy ensures that the company’s impact is felt in areas where its supply chain begins. As Guinness Ghana approaches its 65th anniversary in 2025, she assured the communities of the company’s ongoing commitment to building impactful partnerships.
The Nadowli Health Centre is now connected to the new water system, ensuring a consistent water supply that will enhance healthcare delivery, infection prevention, and hygiene standards at the facility. Mr. Cornelius Ziekye, the Sub-District In-Charge at the Nadowli Health Centre, expressed appreciation to both organizations, noting that the water system had resolved a significant issue. Previously, the center relied on the CWSA water supply, which was often inconsistent, forcing them to purchase water from private vendors or use boreholes.
Mr. Rashid Mumuni, the Deputy Coordinating Director of the Nadowli-Kaleo District, also expressed gratitude to WaterAid Ghana and Guinness Ghana, noting that the intervention would ease the water burden on residents. A 15-member committee has been established to manage and maintain the facility in Nadowli in partnership with the CWSA to ensure its sustainability.