Residents of Sunyani are raising fresh concerns over the apparent abandonment of the long-promised $200 million Sunyani Water Expansion Project, nearly six years after a sod-cutting ceremony was held to officially launch the initiative.
The project, which was announced in 2020, was expected to significantly improve water supply in Sunyani and surrounding communities within the Bono Region.
At the time, government officials described it as a major intervention aimed at solving the persistent water shortages confronting the rapidly growing city.
The sod-cutting ceremony was led by former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, amid assurances that funding for the project had already been secured and captured in the national budget.
According to details made public during the launch, the project was expected to be completed within 36 months.
It was designed to include the construction of a modern water treatment plant capable of producing about 12.1 million gallons of water daily, a 93-kilometre transmission pipeline network, and a large reservoir to improve storage and distribution across the municipality.
The project was to be executed by Ghana Water Company Limited in partnership with LR Group.
However, as of May 2026, residents say there is little to no visible sign that the project has commenced, sparking frustration among many who continue to endure unreliable water supply in the area.
Concerns have intensified in recent months as parts of Sunyani continue to experience recurring water shortages, forcing some residents and businesses to rely on expensive alternative water sources.
Critics argue that the delay has negatively affected the socio-economic development of the city and reflects years of neglect of the Bono regional capital.
Some residents believe the situation highlights a broader challenge facing Sunyani, where major development projects are often announced with fanfare but fail to materialize.
They argue that unless political leaders, traditional authorities, civil society groups, and residents unite to demand the region’s fair share of national development, critical infrastructure projects may continue to stall.
They further stressed the need for a non-partisan and collective effort to push for the completion of strategic projects that directly impact the lives of residents, especially access to potable water.
Calls are now mounting on government to revisit the stalled expansion project and take urgent steps to address the worsening water crisis in Sunyani.
The issue has become even more critical considering growing environmental concerns surrounding the Tano River, one of the key water sources serving parts of the region.
Residents are therefore urging authorities to provide clarity on the status of the project, the availability of funding, and a possible timeline for commencement and completion, insisting that the people of Sunyani can no longer continue to wait indefinitely for a project that was promised years ago.
By 1960news.com
