GGBL To P rovide Potable Water To Communities

Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited (GGBL) is to provide 200,000 Ghanaians with potable water this year, as part of its social responsibility. Last year, the company provided water to 150,000 people in various parts of the country.

Mr Edwin Baffour, Corporate Relations Director, who announced this, said the project is being undertaken in collaboration with GGBL's parent company, Diageo Plc.

Mr Baffour was speaking at a sponsored walk and job programme, dubbed: 'Walkajoggerthon' last Friday for its staff and key stakeholders to celebrate World Water Day which was observed yesterday.

He said that Diageo Plc, under its 'Water of Life Challenge,” is committed to providing one million Africans with potable water-each financial year until 2015.

Mr Baffour said in Ghana, drilling for water has already started in the Brong-Ahafo Region, Akuapim Ridge and Suhum in the Eastern Region, and some parts of the Greater Accra Region.

Dr Philip Gyan-Boakye, Chief Executive of Community Water and Sanitation Agency, who chaired the event, commended GGBL for the initiative, saying it is not only producing drinks but also providing potable water to Ghanaians.

For the celebration, the driveways of the breweries were temporarily transformed into a track for the event and the runners undertook several laps (minimum of 300 metres), with purchase of water filters for the deprived communities.

World Water Day is observed around the world annually on March 22.  It is a means to raise awareness and focus attention on the importance of fresh water, especially in Sub Saharan Africa where only 56 per cent of the population have access to clean water. 

The theme for this year is, “shared water, shared opportunities.”

Commenting on the walk, Mr Baffour said, “This is indeed a significant day as it is a great time to support a worthy cause, keep fit and create the awareness on the importance of water.  We are fully committed to this initiative”.