Promise and Fail: Akufo-Addo has disrespected Dagbon King over failed water projects and must apologise – UVC

A youth group has accused President Nana Akufo-Addo and the government of disrespecting the King of Dagbon and other traditional authorities in the Northern Region, after the administration failed to deliver on promises to improve access to potable water in three major towns in the north.

The group, United Voice for Change (UVC), is, thus, demanding a public apology from President Akufo-Addo to the King of Dagbon in particular, emphasising the need to restore respect and trust between the government and traditional authorities.

The demand follows an investigation by The Fourth Estate, which revealed that promises the president made in the run-up to the elections in 2020 to end perennial water shortages in Tamale, Yendi and Damongo have not been fulfilled, with officials now claiming that there is no money to get the water supply projects off the ground.

In a sod-cutting blitz before the general election in 2020, President Akufo-Addo made it clear at various events that funding had been secured for the projects, leaving many to wonder why officials are now insisting there is no funding for the projects.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, Convener for UVC, Professor Ronald Sylvester Antwi, expressed revulsion following the investigative report by The Fourth Estate, which exposed that despite assurances from President Akufo-Addo, no funds had been secured for the Tamale, Yendi, and Damongo Water Projects.

“Ultimately, President Akufo-Addo has to publicly apologise unreservedly and seek forgiveness from Ndan Ya Naa, Jira Yagbonwura and the good people of the Northern and Savannah regions for blatant deception,” he said.

He accused the president and his government of deliberately deceiving the chiefs and people of the north with promises of improved water supply just to garner votes.

The Convenor condemned the government for misleading the king and local communities during “high-profile sod-cutting ceremonies” in 2020 when funding was not secured.

The projects, announced with much fanfare four years ago, were expected to alleviate the severe water shortages faced by residents in these areas.

The king of Dagbon, which the group described as “a highly respected traditional leader,” was present during the ceremonies, where the President promised that $223 million had been secured for the Tamale Water Expansion Project, $30 million for the Yendi Water Project, and $49 million for the Damongo Water Supply Project.

However, the investigative report reveals that these commitments were made without the necessary financial backing.

Managing Director of the Ghana Water Company Limited, Dr Clifford Braimah, confirmed to The Fourth Estate that the government had not secured funding for the projects at the time of the sod-cuttings, attributing the delay to the Domestic Debt Restructuring Program of 2023.

According to the group, the revelation was “shocking” and the attitude of the president raises questions about the transparency and integrity of the government’s actions to the less-privileged.

For the group, what was more astonishing was remarks made by the Minister of Finance, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, during the Mid-Year Budget Review presentation claiming the projects were at various stages of completion.

“The following are at various stages of completion: Wenchi Water Supply Project; Sekondi-Takoradi Water Supply Project; Keta Water Supply Project; Yendi Water Supply Project; Tamale Water Supply Project; Damongo Water Supply Project; Sunyani Water Supply Project; and Techiman Water Supply Project,” he said in Parliament.

For Professor Antwi and UVC they find it, “totally shocking, embarrassing and utterly disappointed that the Fourth Estate is now reporting that government had not secured funding for any of the projects, despite the sod-cutting spree the President embarked on.”

He criticised the government for what he described as, “blatant deception,” not only towards the people of the Northern and Savannah Regions but also towards their overload.

“This is the highest form of disrespect the President has shown towards Ghanaians, especially in this case, where no less a person than the king of Dagbon was deceived in such a wanton manner,” the UVC Convener added.