For nearly two years, the residents of Agbozume have been living under the strain of a severe water crisis, following the devastating damage to pipelines caused by heavy flooding. This disruption, which has left thousands without reliable access to potable water, has forced residents to depend on costly alternatives, like sachet water, or travel long distances for clean water, deeply impacting their daily lives.
The financial burden has become a constant challenge for many families, with sachet water prices adding to household expenses that were already stretched thin. For those unable to afford sachet water, options are limited. Rainwater collection, though helpful, is unreliable, especially in the dry season. One resident, Kate Kuadogah, a mother of four, described her frequent need to rent trucks at over 50 Ghana Cedis to transport water from the nearby town of Klikor, highlighting the lengths to which residents must go to meet basic needs.
Beyond households, this crisis also affects institutions essential to the community’s fabric. At Some Senior High School, for instance, administrators have tried to ease the burden by drilling a borehole. However, this solution has limitations due to the high salinity levels in the area’s groundwater, which makes it unsuitable for consumption. Many boreholes in Agbozume face similar issues, making it difficult for communities to achieve even temporary relief through local water sources.
Residents are urging the Ghana Water Company and local authorities to expedite repairs to the damaged pipelines. On the other hand, they are also calling for the exploration of alternative water solutions, such as improved rainwater collection systems or desalination processes for borehole water, to bring lasting relief.
