Who Speaks For Adenta?

Since time immemorial, the people in the Adenta Municipality have never enjoyed a constant supply of water, despite the fact that the area houses thousands of workers who contribute to the development and growth of the country. The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), which has the constitutional responsibility of supplying potable water to the residents, has been giving varied explanations about the source of the problem. In the late 1980s, the GWCL supplied water through the taps every two weeks, and also convinced the residents of the area to purchase polytanks for storing water. The residents were also mandated to pay a flat rate of GH�10 each as their monthly bills. The President of the Adenta Residents Association, recently told Radio Ghana that though they met the condition put forward by the GWCL, by purchasing the polytanks as suggested, the supply of water to the area is still not the best. What is annoying, according to the President, was that at the end of every month the same GWCL, which has reneged on its promise to supply water to them, would present bills for them to pay. Some of the residents also alleged that though supply of water to the area has always been a problem, however, during the period of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, at least water was supplied through the taps at two weeks intervals. According to the residents, ever since President Mills� government, which they massively voted for both in the presidential and parliamentary elections, took over the reins of government, the situation has gone from bad to worse. For the past four months, no drop of water has passed through the taps in Adenta. There are allegations that some top government officials are cashing in on the situation, by purchasing water tankers to sell the scarce commodity to the people. In a recent interview with The Chronicle, the Adenta Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Madam Kakra Nubyi Vanlare, noted that she was doing her best to solve the Adenta water problem, but claimed that she was not getting the full support of the residents. The Chronicle appreciates the efforts of Madam Vanlare, especially since the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Hon. Kwadwo Adu Asare, who is the direct representative of the people in the Legislative house, has been silent over the suffering of the very people who voted for him. The Chronicle, however, thinks that blaming the people for not supporting the MCE, is not the solution to the suffering of the people of Adenta and surrounding towns like Madina, Abokobi and Agbogba among others. An official report must be made to the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing, to investigate why for the past four or five months the people of Adenta have not been supplied with water. There must also be an investigation into allegations that the water tanker service providers connive with some officials to illegally tap water for commercial purposes, which affects supply to the residents. If Madam Vanlare is able to do this, she would be on her way to finding a lasting solution to the problem. Adenta has become notorious for the irregular supply of water, which is not the best, since the residents pay their taxes just like any other Ghanaian, for the development of this country. The central government must step in and ensure that the people in Adenta enjoy a constant supply of water, just like other residents in Accra.