Potable water still a challenge in Ghana

The President of Friends of Rivers and Water Bodies, Nana Dwomoh Sarpong has blamed the various district assemblies for being responsible for the chronic shortage of water in urban centers.

Nana Dwomoh Sarpong says most water bodies in urban centers are being destroyed by bad human activities including dumping of refuse and human waste which have not been checked by the assemblies thereby creating serious water shortages in the cities.

The environmentalist is therefore advocating for a stringent law that will ensure that all water bodies in urban centers are protected.

Nana Dwomoh Sarpong was speaking to Adom News as the world celebrates  World Water Day, observed on 22nd March each year.

The day is celebrated across the globe to increase people’s awareness of water’s importance in environment, agriculture, health and trade.

Nana Dwomoh Sarpong also attributed the recent cholera outbreak to water problems saying because a lot of people do not have access to potable drinking water, they are compelled to get water from questionable sources.

He expressed his worry about the recent increase in the construction of boreholes in Accra. According to him, the city could sink if there should be a disaster if people are allowed to dig boreholes indiscriminately and urged government to provide pipe borne water instead of encouraging the construction of boreholes.

In Ghana access to potable water is one of the major challenges facing people in parts of the country and Adom News has been assessing the water situation in some of these areas.

In Accra, areas like Tantra Hills, Dome Kwabenya, Agboba and Ashongman Estates all in the Ga West Municipality, are some of the places that face acute water shortage with residents being compelled to find water from all sources including water tankers.

However Tanker drivers who supply the residents of Ashongman, Ashongman Estates, Dome Kwabenya, Brekusu, Pokuase, Amasaman through to Sapeiman with water have also complained of lack of water hydrants in the area.

Residents in the Northern Regional capital of Tamale have also appealed to government to provide potable water for the area.

Story: Kwaku Adu Kumi/Adom News