Accra: Residents of a Fulbe settlement near Chogsia, in the Wa West District of the Upper West Region, have appealed for a potable water source to ease their struggle in accessing safe drinking water.
According to Ghana News Agency, the residents expressed concerns about the daily trek of approximately three miles by women in the community to fetch water from Chogsia. This situation is impacting their health and livelihoods significantly. Mrs. Mariama Darimani, a resident, highlighted the additional difficulties posed by poor road conditions, especially during the rainy season, which complicates their access to water.
The settlement, home to over 100 residents, lacks a borehole or any reliable water source, forcing them to rely solely on the borehole at Chogsia. Mrs. Darimani lamented the flooding of roads during the rainy season, which necessitates struggling through water to access Chogsia for water collection.
Alhaji Partti Ahamadou, another resident, mentioned that the situation often results in women waiting long hours at the Chogsia borehole due to the demand from both communities. He explained that the women from the Fulbe settlement have to wait for the Chogsia community women to finish before they can fetch water.
Naa Sumaila Mahmada, Chief of Chogsia, confirmed the challenges faced by the Fulbe settlement, noting that tensions sometimes arise between women from both communities due to pressure on the few available water sources. He urged government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and benevolent individuals to provide the Fulbe settlement with a borehole to ensure equitable access to safe water. This aligns with efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, which aims for the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.
Access to clean and safe water remains a major challenge in many rural communities across Ghana. Addressing these gaps is crucial for improving health, promoting gender equality, and enhancing socio-economic wellbeing.