Richard Nyamah, who contested and lost the New Patriotic Party parliamentary primaries earlier this year, has fulfilled his pledge to provide water to nine communities in the Kpandai constituency.
The beneficiary communities are: Lonto, Loloto, Jirandogo, Jamboai, Kabeso, Kakpeni, Nkanchina College of Health, Mbowura and Kachinke.
The gesture comes as a surprise to many, as Mr. Nyamah’s defeat raised doubts about his commitment to the constituency’s development. However, his recent action has shown his dedication to improving the lives of the people in the area.
Mr. Nyamah’s promise to provide water to the communities during his campaign was met with skepticism by some, who viewed it as a typical political promise with no real intention of fulfillment. Despite his loss he has followed through on his commitment, demonstrating a sense of responsibility and care for residents of the Kpandai District.
The water provision initiative is a significant development for the nine communities, as access to clean water is a basic necessity that has been lacking in these communities.
The lack of clean water not only affects the health and well-being of the residents but also hinders their socio-economic progress as well as negatively impact education.
At the Nkanchina College of Health for instance, students narrated the challenges they go through to get water. The SRC President, Evans Yinbey Bazum-nyang, revealed that, “we walk for over 1km to fetch water from the river Oti, which lies down a hill with a steep and rocky footpath.” A female student of the school, Dauda Ramatu, disclosed that, “sometimes you go to the river side and then you are chased away by snakes. We are therefore compelled to buy water from Kpandai in a motorkia, which affects our finances.”
The students comended Mr. Nyamah for redeeming his pledge despite losing the election. They also thanked the Ghana Gas Company and the PURC for supporting the initiative.
Mr. Nyamah’s decision to redeem his pledge despite his loss in the primaries has earned him praise from various quarters. The gesture is being seen as a demonstration of his integrity and commitment to serving the people, regardless of his electoral fortunes.
In all the villages the team visited, the chiefs expressed their gratitude to him and encouraged him to continue to canvass for the development of the area.
While addressing residents of the various beneficiary communities during the inauguration of the water projects on Sunday and Monday, Mr. Nyamah expressed his gratitude to the communities for their support and emphasized the importance of delivering on promises made during political campaigns. He highlighted the need for politicians to be accountable to the people and to work towards meaningful change in society.
Mr. Nyamah urged community members to take ownership of the projects and ensure its longevity. “The next time I come here, we should be talking about a different project not water. Take care of it, it belongs to you.” He also emphasised that, the water belonged to all, irrespective of political affiliation. “I am an NPP man, and I worked with NPP leaders to bring this project to your community, but now that, water is flowing, please, it is neither for the NPP nor the NDC members of this community, it is for everyone. Remain united in this community,” he said to a loud applause at Mbowura, one of the beneficiary communities.
As part of efforts to ensure sustainability of the projects, a five-member committee was inaugurated in each community to manage the water system. These committees will also open and operate accounts, secure electricity meters, paying electricity bills, collecting tokens from residents who use the facility, ensure routine maintenance and repairs among others.
At the Nkanchina College of Health, the Principal and students were charged to form a committee of teachers and students to manage their own system.
The impact of Mr. Nyamah’s gesture is already being felt in the communities, where residents are now able to access clean water for drinking, cooking, and other daily needs. The provision of water has not only improved the health and hygiene conditions in the area but has also boosted the morale of the residents, who feel valued and supported by their former aspiring representative.
Moving forward, Nyamah’s actions are expected to inspire other leaders to prioritize the needs of their constituents and to follow through on their commitments, regardless of the political outcomes. The provision of water to the nine communities in the Kpandai constituency serves as a testament to the power of individual initiative and the impact that dedicated leadership can have on grassroots development.
