In the Upper East Region of Ghana, bordering Burkina Faso and Togo, the country is arid and the daily temperatures high. In this part of the country, at about a 12-hour drive from the capital Accra, the drinking water supply has not been up to standard for years. The Tono Drinking Water project, a partnership between the Dutch and Ghanaian governments, supported through Invest International, and executed by engineering company Denys, is changing this. Benefitting 400,000 inhabitants who now have access to clean, safe and affordable drinking water.
Bolgatanga, popularly called Bolga, is the capital of the Ghanaian Upper East Region and has about 70,000 inhabitants. Together with the city of Navrongo, among others, it is one of the fast-growing provincial cities in this part of the country. A growing number of inhabitants means more need for drinking water. One problem: the supply of clean and safe drinking water has so far lagged behind the growing water demand. And, while the water sources of existing reservoirs and associated Vea and Tono irrigation dams in the area can in fact provide all people in the region with the necessary drinking water.
To find a solution for the drinking water supply, the Ghanaian and Dutch governments joined forces through Invest International for the Tono Drinking Water Project.
In order to find a solution for the drinking water supply, the Ghanaian and Dutch governments joined forces through Invest International for the Tono Drinking Water Project. To renew the existing water treatment plant, build a new plant at the Tono Dam and provide water supply to Bolgatanga and Navrongo and surrounding areas. Engineering company Denys was responsible for the implementation of the extensive infrastructure project at the Tono Dam. In 2009, the company was awarded the contract by the Ghana Water Company Limited, the Ghanaian, state owned water company that operates the water installations.
To find a solution for the drinking water supply, the Ghanaian and Dutch governments joined forces through Invest International for the Tono Drinking Water Project.
The drinking water problem has been tackled to a large extent by making use of the existing reservoirs and an existing water purification installation. The project in brief:
“The size of the infrastructural works, the partnership between Ghana and the Netherlands plus the impact made, turn this into a unique project.”
As a result, at least 400,000 inhabitants have now exchanged water from, often polluted, boreholes and wells or expensive water from bags, for standpipes nearby from which affordable and good quality water flows.
In December 2021, the project was completed and handed over to the Ghana Water Company Limited, being responsible for the drinking water supply of all urban communities in the West African country.
As a result, at least 400,000 inhabitants have now exchanged water from, often polluted, boreholes and wells or expensive water from bags, for standpipes nearby from which affordable and good quality water flows.
Without this water project, the residents in the area would have to pay a high price for a long time to come. When it comes to access to water, but also for their health and economic progress. Clean drinking water reduces the risk of (infectious) diseases, which is beneficial for the health of the Ghanaian inhabitants in the area. This indirectly stimulates the economic development of the country and is better for stability in the region.
“Access to drinking water means great progress for all residents, but especially for women and girls. They save a lot of time and energy because they no longer have to fetch water from far and can spend more time on school or work, as you can also see in the video”, says Annelies de Beule, Denys project leader for the Tono Drinking Water Project.
Without this water project, the residents in the area would have to pay a high price for a long time to come. When it comes to access to water, but also for their health and economic progress.
The Tono Drinking Water Project is a great example from the Water & Infra sector, one of the key focus areas of Invest International. The funding is Government-to-Government Aid. With the support of the Dutch government, the Ghanaian government was able to take out a loan from ING Belgium so that the engineers of the Denys could start the infrastructural works. The total cost of the project is around 42 million euros.
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Omar Haggag
Impact Investment Manager
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