The Korean Government has approved a US$100 million loan for the commencement of the Techiman Water Expansion and Rehabilitation project in the Bono East Region. The project, being implemented by the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), has led to an agreement with the Korean firm, Messrs CHEIL-KECC-SAMAN JV, to carry out the work. Construction is slated to begin by the end of the third quarter of 2024.
Mr. Francis Agyei-Boateng, the Chief Manager of Project Planning and Development at GWCL, announced that the project is funded by the EximBank of the Republic of Korea. The initiative aims to expand and improve access to clean, potable water for residents in the Techiman Municipality and surrounding areas, including Nkenkansu, Akomadan, Afrantwo, New Techiman, Tanoso, Tadieso, Kuntunso, Ahansua, Tacofiano, Tuobodom, Gyama (Kenten), Akrofrom, and Aworowa.
At a press conference in Techiman, the capital of Bono East, Mr. Agyei-Boateng confirmed that the Korea EximBank had given its approval for the contract signing, allowing the project to move forward. He stated that actual construction work would begin in eight months, with the full project expected to be completed within 48 months.
Dr. Clifford Braima, Managing Director of GWCL, provided further details, explaining that the Ghanaian government requested the loan for the expansion and rehabilitation of the Techiman Water project in May 2003, under the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF). Following this, the Export-Import Bank of Korea, which administers the EDCF, conducted an initial fact-finding mission in March 2019. This mission sought to clarify the scope of the project, assess the adequacy of cost estimates, and confirm the project’s priority.
A second fact-finding mission was sent to Ghana in July 2019 to complete the evaluation. The mission held meetings with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources (MSWR), and GWCL, and also visited the project site in Techiman to finalize the necessary work.
