Residents of Volo in the North Tongu Constituency have raised concerns over persistent challenges in accessing safe and reliable water, calling for urgent intervention to address the situation.
Despite the community’s proximity to the Volta River, residents say the water remains unsafe for consumption due to the risk of waterborne diseases such as bilharzia and other infections.
They have therefore appealed to the government and the Community Water and Sanitation Agency to prioritise the provision of potable water to improve health outcomes and overall living conditions in the area.
The Acting Paramount Chief of the Volo Traditional Area, Bennett Koblah Appleh, made the appeal during the 20th edition of the Tugbedzo Festival, held in Volo on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The festival brought together chiefs, residents and key stakeholders to celebrate the community’s cultural heritage while highlighting pressing development concerns.
Call for basic infrastructure and services
Togbe Appleh urged government and development partners to support critical needs in the community, particularly in potable water supply, education, sanitation and infrastructure.
He stressed the urgent need to provide residents with access to clean and safe drinking water, describing it as essential to public health.
Despite the challenges, he noted that the Volo Traditional Area had made steady progress in sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture and security, attributing the gains to collaboration between citizens, government and development partners.
Commendation and concerns over education infrastructure
The Acting Paramount Chief commended the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, for facilitating key development initiatives in the area.
These include the establishment of the Volo Community Day Senior High School and the introduction of a Digital Village at the Volo Health Centre to enhance access to technology and essential services.
He also expressed appreciation to former President John Dramani Mahama for facilitating contracts for ongoing infrastructure works at the school, describing them as a significant investment in the future of the youth.
However, Togbe Appleh raised concerns about inadequate accommodation for students, particularly those commuting from surrounding communities, and called for the expedited construction of a 2,000-capacity dormitory and dining hall.
He further highlighted the need for a teachers’ bungalow to address accommodation challenges affecting staff retention and performance.
“A teachers’ bungalow will improve teacher morale, reduce absenteeism, and ensure proper supervision of students, especially those in boarding facilities,” he said.
He also reminded the Member of Parliament of a previous commitment to renovate two basic schools in the community and urged that the promise be fulfilled.
Development planning and sanitation concerns
A member of the Volo Development Agency (VODA), Selina Gamey, outlined ongoing efforts to coordinate development initiatives in collaboration with the Volo Traditional Council.
She explained that the agency, operational since 2025 and officially commissioned in February 2026, is focused on land use regulation, structured development planning and orderly community growth.
According to her, VODA has secured a comprehensive master plan to prevent land disputes and promote sustainable development, while also working with partners to improve telecommunications infrastructure and access to clean water.
Mrs Gamey further highlighted sanitation challenges, including an uncompleted public toilet facility and deteriorating primary school infrastructure.
She appealed to investors, NGOs and indigenes of Volo, both home and abroad, to support development efforts.
Addressing potential investors, she assured them that land acquisition processes in the area are secure and properly regulated under the supervision of the Traditional Council and existing legal frameworks.
Education fund and cultural revival plans
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Tugbedzo Planning Committee, Seth Paa-Quao Walker, underscored the importance of education in community development.
He announced plans to establish a Volo Education Fund to support brilliant but needy students and revealed efforts to revive the area’s cultural heritage.
He noted that Volo is endowed with the unique ability to perform more than 15 traditional drum rhythms, which could be harnessed to promote cultural tourism and identity.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh