Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited (GGBL) has commissioned 10 water projects in 8 different communities in the Awutu Senya West District of the Central Region.

The projects are worth GH¢540,000 in total.

The various water systems funded by GGBL and the Diageo Foundation under its flagship community investment programme Water of Life (WoL) will provide access to sustainable clean drinking water to an estimated 68,000 beneficiaries within the district.

The project forms part of the business’ commitment to positively impact the communities in which it sources local raw materials for the production of its premium brands.

It comprises 4 mechanised systems and 6 boreholes for Asempaneye, Bewuanum, Pabionkor, Fianko, Fianko Akura, Mayenda, Gyan Nkwanta and the Bawdjiase Health Centre.

Speaking at the commissioning of one of the boreholes, Ms. Hanna Tetteh, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and Member of Parliament for the area said the project would be a relief for the people of Awutu Senya.

“It was our desire to see the amendment of the Customs Act to drive businesses to reinvest in the communities they source from locally. Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited has set pace for other businesses to follow by this gesture. The rippling effect of such investment is enormous and translates into government’s policy of encouraging local content across the value chain”, she said.

Mrs. Rita Rockson, Communications and Engagement Manager at GGBL said the beverage company is committed to enriching the lives in the communities they source raw materials from.

“In December 2012, GGBL introduced Ruut Extra Beer, Ghana’s first Cassava beer with cassava sourced and processed in the Awutu Senya district. Today, we are proud of our impact in these communities where the livelihoods of our local farmers and their families are gradually improving. In a socio-economic impact study conducted by an independent body on our WoL programme, we identified how the programme has impacted healthcare, girl-child education and other sustainable livelihood programmes. For instance, it was noted that, there was a 92% increase in girl child school attendance in the over 40 communities profiled. Waterborne related diseases had also decreased from 15% to 3% in these communities”, she said.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiary communities, Nai Kweku Orsadu, Chief of Bawdjiase, thanked GGBL for the gesture.

“We the chiefs and people of the communities will ensure the proper use and maintenance of these projects and also requested that the other companies reach out to the other communities in the Awutu Senya district”, he said.