The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has provided mechanised boreholes to the Dua Junior High School (JHS) and neighbouring communities in the Bongo District of Ghana’s Upper East Region, significantly improving access to clean and safe water.

On Thursday, July 17, 2025, the Executive Secretary of PURC, Dr Shafic Suleman, led a team to inspect the newly completed facilities at Dua JHS. The project comprises four mechanised boreholes linked to a 10,000-litre overhead tank, with five water dispensing points—three low taps and two overhead taps.

The initiative is expected to serve over 4,500 residents across various communities, in addition to the 100 students at Dua JHS.

Dr Suleman commended the school’s management for prioritising students’ welfare and ensuring that the facility is properly maintained.

“These pro-poor water projects align with the PURC’s mandate of expanding water service delivery, particularly for marginalised communities. Our focus is to provide sustainable and accessible clean water solutions as part of our contribution to Ghana’s development,” he said.

The Headmistress of Dua JHS, Madam Atota Suzana, described the intervention as transformative, explaining that it has resolved long-standing challenges in the school.

“The project was strategically placed within the school premises to ease access for students and to encourage proper hygiene, especially handwashing,” she said.

She added that before the project, students frequently left school under the pretext of fetching water, disrupting lessons. “Now, with water available on-site, students can concentrate on their studies without unnecessary interruptions,” Madam Suzana noted. She further pledged, on behalf of the staff and students, to ensure the facility is well maintained for long-term use.

During the visit, students displayed placards with messages of gratitude, reading: “Water is life”, “He who provides water saves life”, and “Thank you for saving us from crossing the road to drink water; we are forever grateful.”

Dr Suleman also toured other pro-poor intervention sites in the Bongo Dua Community as part of his working visit to the Upper East Region.

Accompanying him were senior officials of the PURC, including Alhaji Jabaru Abukari, Director of Regional Operations and Consumer Services; Ing. Frederick Oblitey, Director of Energy Services and Performance Monitoring; Dr Eric Obutey, Director of Research and Corporate Affairs; Mr Kweku Tuffuor, Deputy Director of Northern Operations, Monitoring and Evaluation; and Dr Robert Tia Abdulai Aziz, Head of Corporate Affairs. Other members of the delegation included Mr Ephraim Atubuoarah and Ms Fauzia Tanko from the Head Office.

The PURC says this intervention is part of a broader commitment to addressing water access gaps in rural and underserved communities across Ghana.

The team with the Executive Secretary, including: Director of Regional Operations, Consumers Service, Alhaji Jabaru Abukari, Director of Energy Services and Performance Monitoring, Ing.  Frederick Oblitey, Director, Director of Research and Corporate Affairs, Dr. Eric Obutey, Deputy Director, Northern Operations, Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr. Kweku Tuffuor, Head of Corporate Affairs, Dr. Robert Tia Abdulai Aziz, Mr. Ephraim Atubuoarah and Ms Fauzia Tanko, staff from the Head Office.