Ghana and Togo have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop the Sogakope - Lomé transboundary drinking water supply PPP project.

According to the Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing of Ghana, Alhaji Collins Dauda, the agreement includes the preparation of a feasibility study to upgrade a former study conducted in 2005.

The feasibility study is set to commence in January 2015 backed by the African Development Bank (AFDB). It is expected to be finished by early 2016.

The project, as defined in the 2005 study, includes a water catchment in the Volta River at Sogakope, Ghana, the construction of a treatment plant with an estimated capacity of 210,000m³ /day, the laying of approximately 86 km of pipelines to Segbe, Togo, booster stations along the pipeline in Ghana and a terminal reservoir at the Segbe delivery point near Lomé in Togo. Branches and distribution pipes and the construction of water reservoirs and towers along the pipeline in Ghana will complete the project for the supply of water to towns located in Ghana in the project area.

The project is expected to be be implemented as a PPP through a special purpose vehicle (SPV).

The total project investment was estimated, in the 2005 study, at US$111 million.

The project aims to resolve two types of issues. The first concerns the mismatch between supply of and demand for the resource while the second relates to the need to mobilize financial resources other than public resources to develop new drinking water supply facilities.