The Ghana Health Service has declared a six-month prohibition on water consumption from various sources in flood-affected communities due to contamination with faecal bacteria and E. coli.
This alarming announcement was made during a press briefing on Wednesday by the Director of Public Health, Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, addressing the critical issue of water safety in these communities.
Dr Asiedu-Bekoe emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “VRA and other partners have helped to get access to potable water, but how safe is the water? In the next six months, that is what we are going to focus on. We cannot drink water now.”
Acknowledging the immediate need for alternative water sources, he advised flood victims to use aqua tabs for water purification before consumption, stressing the importance of this precautionary measure for the health of those affected by the floods.
To ensure compliance with these vital guidelines, Dr Asiedu-Bekoe issued a strong directive, urging flood victims to adhere to the water consumption restrictions until further notice.
In related developments, Education Minister Dr. Yaw Adutwum confirmed the government's commitment to swiftly restore normalcy to education in communities affected by the recent Akosombo Dam spillage.
He announced an emergency procurement process to purchase items and learning materials for students in the impacted areas.
Dr. Adutwum acknowledged the significant challenges posed by the Akosombo Dam spillage to the education of students in the affected communities.
He assured that the government is fully aware of the impact on their learning and is taking urgent steps to prevent undue disruption to their education.