By Love Wilhelmina Abanonave
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has disclosed that it does not receive any portion of the one per cent levy included in Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) bills, despite widespread public perception that the charge is meant to support firefighting operations.
According to the Public Relations Officer of the GNFS, Divisional Officer, DO II Desmond Ackah, the one per cent component on water bills is paid directly to Ghana Water Company and is intended to be used for the construction of fire hydrants, particularly in communities connected to the national water supply system.
However, many newly developed residential areas across the country still lack functional hydrants, posing serious challenges to firefighting operations.
He explained that in areas where there are Ghana Water supply lines but no hydrants, firefighters often struggle to access water during emergencies, leading to delays and increased damage to property as well as risks to lives.
“This time around, we are going to demand that the money—the quantum collected through that one per cent levy—be used for its intended purpose,” he said. “Whether it is the pillar type or barrel type hydrant, they must be constructed across communities. Once the water is flowing and the money is being paid, the responsibility to build hydrants must be fulfilled.”
To address the situation, DO II Ackah mentioned on Wednesday, February 4 that, the Fire Service is actively engaging Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to ensure that fire hydrants are factored into planning and zoning decisions, especially in newly developing residential communities. The Service insists that hydrants must be made available as a basic safety requirement to protect lives and property.
Beyond hydrant infrastructure, he also raised concerns about broader challenges affecting water availability in the country, particularly illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey. DO II warned that, the destruction of freshwater bodies through illegal mining is significantly reducing the volume of raw water available to Ghana Water for treatment.
While stressing that the comments were not meant as public relations advocacy for Ghana Water, fire officials acknowledged that the impact of illegal mining on water bodies is a real and pressing problem. The reduced water volumes have increased treatment costs for Ghana Water and forced the company to ration supply in many areas.
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Source:
www.gbcghanaonline.com