Water is vital to human life; but residents of Zorko-Goo Atangon-seeya in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region for the past many years have been struggling for it.
The residents said they usually depend on streams and dugouts for water during rainy seasons but struggle daily in the dry seasons as the streams and dugouts mostly dry up.
According to them, the lack of access to safe water in the community has compelled them to depend on streams and dugouts for water for drinking as well as for other household activities.
Narrating the situation to A1 News, the residents said they have made several appeals to the Bongo District Assembly and office of the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area for help, but were yet to receive any positive results.
A Resident of Zorko-Goo Atanagon-Seeya, Azure Ayampoka, said “There is one borehole at a nearby community which majority of us depend on. But now that we’re in the dry season, before one will get water from that borehole, one has to wrestle for it. Because the people from that community will say they will not allow us to fetch before them despite being there first. It is hell here.”
“This stream used to help me but now it is dried up. Now, if I need water, I have to wake up at 3am and go and queue for it. From 3am, sometimes it will get to 7am before I will get water to fetch. We are struggling here. We need water. One borehole here will help us.” Kwesi Mariama also lamented.
Number 6 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) talks about achieving universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all in 2030, but will the residents of Zorko-Goo be part of this estimated target?
Assembly Member for the areas, Samuel Akurigo Nyaabire, told A1 News the predicament of the residents was not far from reach.
According to him, he had channeled the appeals of the residents to the Bongo District Assembly and was certain the situation will soon be addressed.
He said “The assembly is aware of the residents’ predicament, and has assured that it will provide them with a borehole.”
When contacted, Acting District Chief Executive (DCE) for Bongo, Peter Ayinbisa, noted that the Assembly under his stewardship had shown commitment to addressing the situation of lack of access to potable water in the area; having provided several boreholes to many communities across the district.
While admitting other communities in the district still lacked access to save water, Mr. Ayinbisa assured that the next administration of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will continue to address the water needs of the people among other things.
He further assured that he will ensure the appeals by the residents of Zorko-Goo get to the appropriate authorities for attention.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Moses Apiah|Ghana
