The Parliamentary Select Committee on Water and Sanitation has pledged to push for urgent solutions to the persistent water shortages in Tamale and its surrounding districts, especially during the dry season.
During an oversight visit to the Dalung Water Treatment Plant, committee members said they had received numerous complaints and reports from the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly and nearby communities about chronic water shortages.
“We have been told that the situation is true,” a committee representative said. “Our responsibility now is to present a report before Parliament and lobby the appropriate authorities to ensure the problem is solved.”
The visit aimed to inspect ongoing operations, assess the plant’s capacity to meet growing water demand, and engage with management on challenges facing the facility.
Committee members toured the treatment units, interacted with engineers and staff, and reviewed measures being implemented to improve water quality and supply to surrounding communities.
Chairman of the committee, Oti Kwabena Bless John said the visit forms part of Parliament’s broader effort to ensure accountability and improve essential services in the Northern Region.
He said, findings of the committee will inform recommendations and policy actions aimed at guaranteeing consistent and safe water supply for residents.
Meanwhile the Regional Chief Manager of the Ghana Water Company in the Northern Region, Stephen Amihiyemensa has raised serious concerns over the worsening water crisis in Tamale, attributing it to aging infrastructure and growing population pressure.
He revealed that the current water treatment plant, originally installed in 1972, was last expanded in 2008.
Since then, the city’s population has grown from under 400,000 to over 1.4 million, but no further upgrades have been made.
“Also the frequent power outages further reduce the plant’s capacity, limiting daily water production to about 35,000 cubic meters, far short of the current demand of 90,000 cubic meters”. Says the Manager.
He noted that these challenges had led to severe crisis, especially during the dry season when alternative water sources run out, leaving the city in dire straits.
The Manager argued the committee to urgently invest in infrastructure and power stability to meet the needs of Tamale’s rapidly growing population.
