Following a petition jointly submitted by two youth groups in the Krobo area, Kloma Gbi and Kloma Hengme, to the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), the regulatory body has ordered Ghana Water Limited (GWL) to furnish it with a time frame for resolving the water crisis over which residents in the areas have started agitating.

The Commission, in a letter dated 14 January 2025, signed by the Regional Manager, Kesewaa Apenteng-Addo, has also ordered the GWL to indicate steps it has taken and will take to resolve the challenge.

Meanwhile, a team from the Commission is scheduled to visit the affected communities in the Krobo area to assess the situation and to hold a community engagement with residents, assembly members, opinion leaders and representatives of the two groups (the petitioners), among others.

The meeting, scheduled for Thursday, 23rd January 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the Atua Hospital junction Durbar ground, was to enable the Commission to elicit further information regarding the water crisis to help avert the looming communal outburst.

It will be recalled that two vibrant youth groups in the Krobo area (Kloma Gbi and Kloma Hengme) in a letter dated 14th January 2025 petitioned PURC to compel the GWL to restore the flow of potable water to communities such as Sawer in the Yilo Krobo Municipality, and Atua, Kodjonya, Odumase South etc. in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality of the Eastern region.

The above-mentioned communities, among several others, have not had access to treated water from Ghana Water Limited for over six months following the destruction of some underground pipes due to the ongoing construction works on the Somanya-Odumase-Kpong road which runs through the two municipalities.

The phenomenon has greatly incensed the people of the affected communities largely due to what they described as the indifference on the part of GWL and General Construction and Development Limited, the contraction company working on the road, necessitating the petition by the two groups.

Director of Communications for Kloma Gbi, Henking A. Adjase-Kodjo expressed satisfaction at the level of attention accorded the petition by PURC.

He commended the Regional Manager, Kesewa Apenteng-Addo and her team for the steps taken so far. He expressed the hope that further actions will be taken to help remedy the situation in a matter of days.

Dr. Eric Tamatey Lawer, General Secretary for Kloma Hengme also commended the PURC and charged the Commission to look into the general and persistent issue of inadequate supply of water to the Krobo area beyond the recent disruption that was caused by the road construction work. ‘Equity in the distribution of water to the Krobo area and other towns is what we are asking for’, he added.

About Kloma Gbi

Kloma Gbi is a youth-driven network established on the conviction of the need for a more effective and active voice for the Krobo state. The association exists to rally progress-minded youth of Krobo ancestry and leverage their expertise, vitality and sense of patriotism to promote the welfare of the people and the Krobo state on issues of education, development and general welfare. With an initial presence on social networks in 2010, the network transformed into a formidable group of learned, like-minded and farsighted young men and women. Kloma Gbi seeks to be precisely what its name offers - being the most effective, recognized, vocal and representative voice for the Krobo community, working in close partnership with the local & traditional authorities, voluntary, public, and private sector organisations and residents in the best interest of the Krobo state.

About Kloma Hengme

Kloma Hengme (KH) is an advocacy and heritage organisation that brings together individuals of Krobo ancestry from Manya and Yilo Krobo. Formed in 2011, the group is united by a shared commitment to amplifying the Krobo voice, driving meaningful change, preserving Krobo heritage, and creating opportunities to uplift its people and communities. Founded on the principles of patriotism and progress, the organisation embodies the Krobo spirit of resilience and innovation. Its name, Kloma Hengme, which loosely translates as “The Eagle Eye of the Krobo State,” symbolises the group's dedication to safeguarding the community's welfare and driving progress. As a non-partisan and apolitical organisation, Kloma Hengme collaborates with local and traditional authorities, as well as public and private sector organisations. Through its efforts, Kloma Hengme continues to serve as a leading force for positive transformation in the Krobo area.