The Catholic Relief Services (CRS), in partnership with Water Access Now (WAN), has commissioned a new borehole water system at Sakoti Junior High School in the Nabdam District of the Upper East Region of Ghana, marking a historic milestone—the 300th water system delivered under the CRS-WAN collaboration since 2007.
This significant achievement underscores the joint commitment of CRS and WAN to improving clean water access and promoting safe drinking water in Ghana’s underserved and rural communities.
According to Dr. Francis Gumah, Head of Programming at CRS Ghana, the two organizations have invested more than $3 million USD over the past 18 years to provide sustainable water solutions for over 200,000 people across 26 districts in Northern Ghana, including boreholes and limited mechanized water systems.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Dr. Gumah noted, “The borehole we are commissioning today is not just a source of water – it is the 300th water system built through our long-standing partnership with Water Access Now. It is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together with purpose, compassion, and a shared vision.”
He highlighted the broader national challenge, stating, “Access to improved water services remains a critical issue in Ghana, with only 44.3% of the population having access to safe water. In the northern regions, where poverty rates are high, the water crisis disproportionately affects women and children.”
The initiative forms part of the “Improving Water Access in Northern Ghana (IWANG)” project, a targeted intervention funded by WAN and implemented by CRS. In 2024 alone, the project extended clean and safe water access to over 6,000 people in the Northern, North East, and Bono regions, further addressing the water access gap in vulnerable communities.
Speaking on behalf of the community, Naab Samuel Namoo, Chief of Kutintabik, praised CRS and WAN for their continued support and appealed for further development assistance for the Sakoti area, which remains deprived of many essential services.
The IWANG project is implemented in collaboration with key government stakeholders, including the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Ghana Education Service (GES), and various Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs). This multi-sectoral approach ensures long-term sustainability and impact in improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services.
Francis Tobig, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Nabdam District, also expressed his gratitude to CRS and WAN for their life-changing interventions. He encouraged the schoolchildren and community members to maintain and make the best use of the borehole to ensure its longevity.
The commissioning of the 300th borehole in Sakoti is not just a milestone—it represents a renewed commitment to universal access to clean water, especially in rural Ghana, where the need is greatest.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Gifty Eyram Kudiabor|Bolgatanga
