Guinness Ghana Breweries Ltd (GGBL) has commissioned two WaterHealth Centres - costing $65,000 - for the people of Kpembe and Makango in the East Gonja district of the Northern region.

This brings to a total of 5 WaterHealth Centres GGBL and its parent company, Diageo has funded and commissioned for 5 communities across the Northern, Greater Accra and Volta regions under the Safe Water for Africa partnership (SWA) - an innovative multi-year partnership between GGBL, Diageo, the Diageo Foundation and the Coca-Cola system to bring safe drinking water to 2 million Africans by 2013.

Speaking at the official opening ceremony in Kpembe, Corporate Citizenship Manager Richard Ahiagble, said 'GGBL remains committed to enriching lives and empowering local communities through sustainable access to safe drinking water. Water is life, it is critical to health and the general wellbeing of every community. As a business, we believe strongly that when communities thrive, our business thrives - hence our continuous effort to support local communities.'

He noted further that, aside the Kpembe and Makango WaterHealth Centres, GGBL will be commissioning two water extension projects within the Tamale Metropolis to commemorate Arthur's Day- a day set aside to celebrate the philanthropic attributes of Arthur Guinness and employees of GGBL - on 27 September and will undertake various community projects to mark the day.

These two projects in Tamale, he hinted, 'are directly in support of the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization's effort of declaring Ghana guinea worm free by 2014 ."

On his part, Nyen-Churo Ebore II, Kpembe Wura (Paramount Chief of Kpembe traditional area) thanked GGBL for bringing 'the gift of life' to the Kpembe community.

He said 'the main challenge for Kpembe for many years has been access to safe drinking water. This kind gesture by Guinness Ghana Breweries Ltd will directly address this need".

He urged GGBL and other well meaning donors to support the community with a health centre.

Mr. Alhaji Abdul Karim, the East Gonja District Coordinating Director, commended GGBL's effort and support for the Kpembe and Makango communities describing GGBL as a 'development partner' supporting Government's effort to provide access to clean drinking water for rural and peri-urban communities.