GOVT and SEDA Farminc sign an agreement to enhance the delivery of safe water
On Thursday, the government and SEDA Farminc Ghana Limited, a division of the SEDA Africa Group, a company based in the Czech Republic, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for practical solutions to address issues affecting the delivery of safe water to the public through technology.
Immanuel Amuah 
On Thursday, the government and SEDA Farminc Ghana Limited, a division of the SEDA Africa Group, a company based in the Czech Republic, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for practical solutions to address issues affecting the delivery of safe water to the public through technology.
The agreement specifically aimed to improve financing and resource mobilization to fill in the water sector's infrastructure gaps, train engineers, hydrogeologists, and project managers in contemporary water technologies, and guarantee the advancement and modernization of groundwater mapping and monitoring systems.
It was signed by Mr. Martin Habart, the CEO of SEDA Africa Group, and Mr. Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, Minister of Works, Housing, and Water Resources.
"The signing of the MoU is a bold step towards achieving the country's national water security agenda, which aims to ensure sustainable water and basic sanitation for everyone," Mr. Adjei said in a brief statement. He added that the agreement supported the nation's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 6, which addressed sanitation and clean water.
Mr. Adjei asserts that the problem of inadequately mapped, over- and underexploited groundwater nationwide would be addressed with the advancement and modernization of groundwater mapping and monitoring systems.
Mr. Adjei emphasized that inadequate mapping, excessive exploitation, and underexploitation of groundwater created an unsustainable situation that endangered the long-term viability of water sources, particularly in areas that are prone to drought and climate stress.
"With this collaboration, we hope to map groundwater aquifers in a more thorough and scientific manner, build reliable data systems for tracking groundwater yield and quality, and improve the technical proficiency of our local hydrogeologists and engineers," he continued. Additionally, Mr. Adjei stated that his ministry would investigate options for blended financing, which included donor support, climate funds, private capital mobilization, and concessional loans, as part of the Memorandum of Understanding signed with SEDA Farminc Ghana Limited.
According to Mr. Habart, the agreement with the Ministry of Works, Housing, and Water Resources was an extension of the two organizations' previous collaboration, which had resulted in the creation of several projects throughout the nation.
He said that part of this included starting the testing phase two years ago for a small-scale water treatment plant unit in Kade. Additionally, Mr. Habart stated that his organization would form a technical task force team to assist the ministry and important organizations like the Ghana Water Company Limited in their operations.
He clarified that the country's northern region would be the starting point for the year-long exploration and mapping process. Mr. Habart emphasized that UNICEF and other organizations provided support for the mapping and exploration of groundwater.
He added that SEDA Africa Group would make sure that the foundation of its activities in the nation was integrity, trust, and positive impact. Mr. Pavel Bílek, the Czech Republic's ambassador to Ghana; the chief director and directors of the Ministry of Works, Housing, and Water Resources; and representatives from SEDA Farminc Ghana Limited were all present when the Memorandum of Understanding was signed.
