Dear Honourable Ministers,

I am writing to draw your attention to the current concern of the inhabitants of Kumawu and its satellite towns. Many months ago, a sod cutting ceremony with both of you (Honourable Alban Bagbin - Minister for Housing and Water Resources and Honourable Dr. Kwabena Dufuor - Finance and Economic Minister) in Kumawu, marked the supposed commencement of a $120 million water project for Kumawuman, Konongo and Kwahu. No wonder the ensuing euphoria was electrifying, because Kumawu township especially, has acute water problem. Kumawuman has not had potable pipe borne water for the past thirty five years. The people have to do with any water they lay hands on, most of which are often contaminated hence giving rise to the periodic cholera outbreaks in the area. People in the area get infected with typhoid fever all because of the contaminated water they are compelled by sheer necessitate to drink. This problem is probably the cause of the huge monthly mortality of people in the area.

Their dream of ever revisiting the old days when pipe borne water was never in short supply to a Kumawu citizen seems to becoming a far cry. The presumed assurance of there being abundant potable water sooner, following on from the sod cutting has almost evaporated into the thin air. The project due for commencement shortly afterwards, has not yet started. The Israeli contractors tasked to realise the project came as far as Kumasi in late November 2010 but have since left. Nobody from Kumawu knows where they are. Nobody knows when the project will begin in honest.

As a self-nominated mouthpiece for Kumawuman in the absence of a competent, caring, dedicated, trustworthy and or, selfless traditional leader, I feel obliged to bring this ongoing worry of the people to your attention. Would you mind updating the people on the status progress of the water project? The provision of potable water to the people will be a huge booster to their anticipated economic and social emancipation.

Finally, if the Kumawu local clinic can in the meantime be provided with a stand-by generator, the people will be very much appreciative. The incessant low current and power outages are impacting negatively on the functionality and reliability of some of the medical equipment.

Thank you for your co-operation in advance.

John Fosu