Buffer Zone Encroachment: Minister Directs Ghana Water Company to Act

Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson has ordered the Ghana Water Company (GWCL) to act quickly. He wants them to demarcate the buffer zones of the Daboase Water Treatment Plant (DWTP). Illegal activities in these zones must stop immediately.

This action aims to protect a €70 million water expansion project. The project will supply 22 million gallons of water daily to Sekondi-Takoradi and nearby communities. Landowners have been encroaching on these areas, claiming ignorance of the restrictions.

The Daboase plant was built in the late 1960s. It has a capacity of six million gallons per day. The Inchaban plant can produce four million gallons but struggles to meet demand.

Illegal mining has worsened water turbidity. This has reduced production from six million gallons per day to just over 16,000 gallons. Encroachment on buffer zones threatens the water supply, especially during dry seasons.

Gideon Asare Annor, GWCL's western regional production manager, expressed concern about encroachment. He noted that the buffer zone is now completely compromised. This situation could lead to faster drying of the river during dry seasons.

He suggested that the buffer zone should start further up to prevent runoff and protect water sources. During his visit, Minister Nelson directed GWCL to urgently demarcate these zones.

He also instructed local chiefs to stop any planned activities within these designated areas. Some chiefs claimed ignorance after selling land in restricted zones.

To prevent further encroachment, he recommended installing signposts marking no-go areas. He urged the District Chief Executive to address this issue with local chiefs, emphasizing their actions are illegal.

The Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources and GWCL launched this €70 million expansion project in May 2022. Austrian firm Strabag is contracted for building a new treatment plant capable of producing 22 million gallons daily.

During Minister Nelson's visit, Strabag reported that they are 86% complete with construction. The entire project is expected to finish by November 7, 2025. Project manager Vlad Falup stated that all main structures are complete now.

They are currently working on a high-lift pumping station for transporting water to Inchaban and other stations.