I am sure the Prez will look at free water again -Abena Dapaah

With Covid-19 still ravaging the Ghanaian economy, the Minister-designate for Sanitation & Water Resources, Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, has indicated that President Akufo-Addo might look at the provision of free water again.

She made the comments at the ongoing vetting of ministers-designate by the Appointment Committee of Parliament.

Her comments follows a question thrown to her by Mr James Agalga, a Member of the committee, if the President will continue the free water initiative, since the citizens must have access to constant water supply to enable them observe the Covid-19 protocols, as the mortality case count had upsurge to 582.

The Akufo-Addo-led administration, in April last year, announced its intention to absorb electricity and water tariffs to make up for lost income as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and its attendant lockdown and restrictions, which it did.

The President said the initiative reflects the government’s continuous dedication to shield Ghanaians from the harsh effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

However, following an easing of restrictions in the country, the free utility package reaching, its time limit on December 31, 2020, the government decided to renew the package, but only for lifeline customers. The President thus renewed its free utility package for the poor and needy for the three more months.

Responding to the question, the Minister-designate said: “Mr Chairman, I believe it’s a valid and useful point, and I will ask that all the protocols should be observed… As I speak, we have the vulnerable whose water is below 50 gallons still enjoying the facility, and note has been taken. His Excellency the President, having the empathy that he always has, I am sure will look at this.”

Ghana’s Covid-19 cases have seen an upsurge in the past few months. Currently, new cases are 506, active cases stand at 6,812, and 80,759 are confirmed, while recovery cases stand at 73,365.

The government of Ghana is taking so many initiatives, including the rolling-out of plans to distribute the vaccines, which would arrive in the country in few days.

Last Friday, the Minister-designate for Information, Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, gathered some stakeholders in the management of the pandemic to brief the country on plans put in place for the deployment of the vaccines.

Dr Kwame Amponsa-Achiano, Programs Manager, Expanded Program on Immunisation, Ghana Health Service (GHS), indicate that the ultimate vision is to vaccinate the entire population, however, there is a rush for the vaccines, hence, Ghana will receive it’s vaccines in trickles, so distribution will be based on segmentation.

He indicated that phase one will consist of frontline health workers, frontline security personnel, persons with known underlying medical conditions, people who are 60 years and above, frontline members of the Executive, legislature and the judiciary since the country has to be manned.

Phase two will consist of other essential service providers such as the rest of the security agencies, water, electricity, teachers, students, fuel attendants, farmers and those in the food chain, telecommunication services, traffic control, civil aviation, meteo, air transport services, waste management and media and commercial transport service providers while phase three will consist of the rest of the general population; all person’s 18 years and over, the Doctor said.

He added that due to the severity of the disease in some regions of Ghana, the segmentation was also done on a regional basis. He said Greater Accra, Greater Kumasi Metro and Western Region will be the first regions to receive the vaccines before the other regions.

He, however, indicated that the vaccines will not be administered to pregnant women and children for now.

On the delivery approach, he indicated that a mixed bag of delivery approaches will be employed. This include static (use of fixed clinics) already existing hospitals, health centers and clinics, outreach services, mobile clinics, campouts, markets and community centers.

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