The Republic Bank has officially cut sod for the construction of a fully mechanised water system for the Taviefe Senior High School (SHS) in the Ho Municipality, Volta Region.

The initiative forms part of the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme to support sustainable community development and improve access to potable water in educational institutions.

The project, which is expected to be completed within four months, will deliver a fully functional mechanised borehole system connected to both the national grid and solar power, capable of producing about 10,000 litres of water daily. The system will include overhead storage tanks, a pump house, automated controls, and multiple fetching points for students.

The management explained that the system will be modernised, reducing manual operation and ensuring consistent water flow. They added that it will be fenced to enhance safety and to prevent external people from tampering with the water, disturbing the students.

Republic Bank and its partners will provide after-sales maintenance and monitoring for one year after commissioning, the management explained.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Managing Director of Republic Bank (Ghana), Dr Benjamin Dzoboku, said the initiative is in line with the bank’s commitment to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Clean Water and Sanitation, Quality Education, Good Health, and Climate Action.

"We are not just here to drill a borehole, but to transform lives," he said.

"As we turn the soil this morning, we are turning water scarcity into abundance and challenges into hope and opportunities."

Dr Dzoboku revealed that Republic Bank Ghana, a subsidiary of Republic Financial Holdings Limited of Trinidad and Tobago, continues to invest in projects that improve lives in local communities.

On his part, the Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, commended Republic Bank for the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that would address one of the region’s pressing water scarcity challenges.

"When I assumed office, one of the major challenges we identified was water scarcity," he said.

"Through this partnership, Taviefe Senior High School’s water challenge will be resolved within four months, or even less."

"On behalf of President John Dramani Mahama and the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, we say a very big thank you to Republic Bank,” Mr Gunu added.

The Ho Branch Manager of Republic Bank, Mrs Irene Nyonyo, also reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to community development.

"Today’s event reflects Republic Bank’s enduring commitment to supporting social development across Ghana," she said.

"Sustainable progress is best achieved when institutions partner with communities to address real needs and create lasting value."

The Headmaster of Taviefe SHS, Sadrack Abiwu, thanked Republic Bank for the timely response, saying that the project would bring great relief to the school.

He appealed for additional support in the form of furniture for students to enhance teaching and learning, and infrastructure.

“We are deeply grateful for this intervention. Our next urgent need is furniture to accommodate our growing student numbers and infrastructure for the girls,” he appealed.

In an exclusive interview with some of the students, they commended the management of Republic Bank Ghana for their kindness and support to end their water crisis.

"We are grateful to the management of Republic Bank Ghana and the Volta regional minister James Gunu and our MPs for their love and support shown us to end our challenges," one of them said.

"We hope that, they will complete the project early so that by the time we enter into the dry season, we will not go out of campus searching for water leaving our studies behind."

The students said the water challenge had really affected their academic lives, forcing them to go into the local town or to streams to search for water, which at times is not potable, posing health risks.

The mechanised water system, when completed, will provide a reliable and safe water supply for the students and staff of Taviefe SHS, improving hygiene, supporting academic focus, and enhancing overall wellbeing.

The ground-breaking ceremony was attended by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ho Central, officials from the Ho Municipal Assembly, traditional leaders, Republic Bank executives, staff, and students of the school.