Shama Water Crisis: Residents spend GH¢120 daily as taps run dry

Residents of several communities in Shama in the Western Region are struggling to access clean water, with some claiming they have endured the crisis since February 2026, forcing families to spend heavily on water and walk long distances to meet their daily needs.

The affected areas include DC Bungalow, Areeba Poll, Roman Park, Roman Church and parts of Beach Road, where residents say the persistent shortage has disrupted household activities, affected school attendance and placed additional pressure on vulnerable people, including pregnant women.

Some residents have been forced to walk several miles with their children in search of water for bathing, cooking and other domestic chores. They say the situation has become increasingly unbearable, with families struggling to secure enough water for their daily needs.

The financial burden has also become a major concern. One resident disclosed that the household cost of accessing clean water can reach GH¢120 a day, an expense they say is difficult to sustain.

“We have to spend about GH¢120 every day before getting access to clean water for our family, and it is too much for us,” the resident lamented.

Beyond the financial strain, residents say the shortage is taking a toll on their health and general well-being. A pregnant woman recounted the difficulties she faced while carrying heavy containers of water, linking the physical strain to complications she experienced during pregnancy.

“I am a pregnant woman, and I have been forced to carry heavy containers full of water. As a result, I had a miscarriage and had to undergo an operation,” she said.

Her account underscores the difficulties pregnant women and other vulnerable residents may face when access to a basic necessity such as water becomes a daily struggle. However, the reported medical complications have not been independently verified.

An opinion leader in one of the affected communities also expressed frustration over what residents perceive as neglect, questioning whether their communities are receiving the attention they deserve as part of Shama.

“I don't think we are part of Shama, because if the water company says it cannot pump water to reach our area, then are we counted as part of Shama?” the opinion leader questioned.

The residents are appealing to the relevant authorities and water service providers to urgently intervene and restore a reliable supply to the affected communities.

They insist that access to clean water should not require families to spend exorbitant amounts or endure long journeys, particularly when the shortage is affecting children's education and making everyday household activities increasingly difficult.

As the reported crisis continues, residents are calling for a lasting solution to ensure that communities in Shama have dependable access to safe water.

EA