Zimbabwean delegation taps on Ghana's successes in water

Accra, March 8, GNA - A 12-member delegation from Zimbabwe on Tuesday, paid a working visit to the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing to acquaint itself with the operations of the Ministry.

Mr Samuel Sipepa Mkomo, Zimbabwean Minister of Water Resources, Development and Management, who is the leader of the delegation, noted that Ghana was chosen due to the successes it had chalked in water production an= d distribution in sub-Saharan Africa. "We are here to tap on the successes of this Ministry, learn from yo= ur mistakes and how best we in Zimbabwe can avoid them," he said. He expressed the hope that the knowledge gained would help them in their quest to provide clean and affordable water to Zimbabweans and to improve upon nationwide water supply, which was around 40 per cent. Mr Alban Bagbin, Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, explained the important nature of water in socio-economic development and government's commitments towards the provision of affordable and potable water to all Ghanaians.

"Water is life and it's everyone's right and we see it as air we breathe. It is used in all areas of our daily lives and government is committed to ensuring that both the poor and the rich have equal access to this commodity," he explained. He explained the rationale behind the establishment of the Water Resources Commission, the Community Water and Sanitation Agency and the works of the Ghana Water Company and Aqua Vitens Rand. The delegation, which would be in the country for five days, would als= o visit the head offices of Ghana Water Company, Aqua Vitens Rand, water production facilities and hold meeting with officials and stakeholders in the water delivery sector. 8