The FDA said checks in some markets in that area showed that traders avoided the puffer fish which is believed to have caused the deaths. The affected communities include Alavanyo, Kpando and Tokor.

[contextly_sidebar id=”6iSnAa7aCj7SQ9i7eGYcwXV645UY0xpY”]However, it is in talks with the Ministry of Fisheries and other agencies to intensify the education on the dangers of consuming the said fish.

Speaking to Citi News, James Lartey, the Public Relations Officer for the Authority said the FDA officers “together with the fisheries department in the Volta Region and then the Municipal Assembly embarked on an exercise where the visited a number of markets and all the markets they went to did not have any sample of that fish.”

“According to our officer, the women at the market were saying they know it to be it’s a poisonous fish so it is not a fish that is sold there.”

There will also be a meeting between the FDA, the Municipal Assembly, and some stakeholders draw a plan to create awareness.

“I was told they were already aware of that particular fish but there is the need for further education so I am sure when they meet, they will be able to trash all these things and strategize on communications so they will be able to better inform the people on that fish,” Mr. Lartey said.

Four people died at the Margret Marquart Catholic Hospital at Kpando, where they had been rushed to after eating a type of freshwater fish commonly called puffer fish, also known as balloon fish.

Three deaths were recorded two weeks ago with the latest occurring yesterday [Thursday] when four more persons were rushed to the same facility.

One of them was successfully treated and discharged while two others, a man, and his wife are still on admission.

Even though it is still unclear how the fish may have caused or contributed to the said deaths, some residents have attributed it to the ill-preparation of the fish before consumption.

They say the fish contains some poisonous substance which required proper cooking.

The Puffer fish is characteristically said to swell up when it senses danger to scare its predators. It is known among fishing communities and the folks are often warned against eating it.

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By: Felicia Osei/King Nobert Akpablie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Kpando: FDA to intensify education on ‘poisonous fish’ appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The 6,720 cubic meter per day facility is expected to improve access to potable water in the Kpando Municipality.

Funded by the World Bank and Nordic Development Fund, the project saw the rehabilitation and expansion of the water treatment plant in Kpando Todzi.

The water supply system is expected to serve a projected population of about 42,000 people by 2025.

The beneficiary communities include kpando, Sovie, Anfoega, Nkonya, Aveme, Gbefi, Dzigbe and other surrounding communities.

Addressing chiefs and people of Kpando as part of his four-day tour of the region, the President said the project would go a long way to alleviate the challenges the people face in accessing safe drinking water.

He said the project valued at a cost of US$12,729,5  started in February 2011 and was completed in February this year.

It has its intake from the Volta lake at Kpando Tokor.

The President who reiterated his commitment to improving the lives of the people in the region said the Volta region has the largest coverage in terms of supply of safe drinking water.

“Just this morning when I arrived I went straight to the water station; I supposed to be here in February to commission the new Kpando water project. The water project Kpando had before was based on underground water systems and so we had drilled six boreholes and we had put mechanized pumps in the boreholes. And we used to pump the water into an overhead tank and share it to Kpando and surrounding areas.”

“That system used to produce only 130,000 gallons of water a day. And so the NDC government realized that this water was not enough for Kpando and its surrounding areas. So we decided to build a new water system and expand the existing water system. So instead of using underground water which was restricted we decided to do a pipe all the way from Chorkor to draw water from the Volta Lake and treat it and distribute it to Kpando and its surrounding areas. That is what a caring government does. And we have completed that system,” he added.

He also used the opportunity to debunk assertions by critics that the Volta region is not benefiting from government projects.

The paramount chief of Gbefi Togbui Akom VIII on behalf of the people thanked the President for the gesture.

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By: King Norbert Akkpablie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Mahama inaugurates water project at Kpando [Photos] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.