Choosing between hand washing and drinking water in times of coronavirus: A deadly dilemma in rural Ghana

Water is life – no doubt, we all know this to be true and the current COVID19 pandemic brings it into sharp focus. Achieving universal access to safe drinking water is still a major challenge in most parts of the world especially Sub-Saharan Africa. The link between safe drinking water, human health and wellbeing has been well established. Similarly, hand washing has been prescribed as one of the best ways to protect oneself and the family from getting sick.

Information about COVID 19 is still evolving and changing quickly while social media is currently doing more harm than good. The main prevention methods are; wearing hand gloves, face masks, social distancing and washing hands with soap under running water and use of alcohol-based sanitizers (this must be followed by hand washing where water is available). There is still a raging debate on the use of face mask and hand gloves but what has been consistent and undisputed in the prevention of Covid 19 is hand washing under running water for at least 20 seconds. For this reason, there is stress and emphasis on handwashing under running water. The big question is “How can the populace wash their hands frequently and keep themselves and homes clean without water”? Unfortunately, under the current circumstances and what all of us are obliged to do, there is no point in some of us being able to wash our hands and others unable to do so because we would all be at risk from those unable to wash their hands.

Ghana’s rural water situation and research

In Ghana, rural water supply as of 2018 is around 66.06 %. This implies that 17.94 % do not have access to potable water (CWSA, 2018). Of the 66.06 %, majority have to travel within 500 m radius to access water normally from boreholes fitted with hand pump. Since the last decade, access to safe water has been recognized as a human right issue. It is, therefore, unacceptable that so many people still have to choose between drinking and washing their hands because they don’t have enough water to do both. Colleagues in the water sector are very much aware of the challenges of bringing safe water to rural areas. At the same time, I know that within the scientific community in Ghana we have many of the answers on how to bring water supplies to rural populations and realize their right to water. This can be accomplished not only through drilling of wells but also, routine monitoring of the water quality and other hydrogeological parameters such as the water levels to ensure that the groundwater provided is sustainably managed.

We have collaborated with each other (personal and institutions), several studies have been carried out on groundwater potential, recharge, quality and sustainability. Undoubtedly, the successes chalked in Ghana water sector (provision of potable water and research) have been largely fuelled by strong donor support and well organized institutional and policy framework. What then are the barriers militating against sustainable provision of potable water to the rural communities, the first answer that crossed my mind is to say ‘nothing’-but on the second thought, I think some gray areas need to be addressed, for instance;

1. Who is/are responsible for funding rural water supply (Government, donor agencies or the communities).

2. Who is/are responsible for the maintenance of the rural water facilities (Government, donor agencies or the communities).

3. Who is/are responsible for funding groundwater research (Government, donor agencies, researcher or the communities).

Maybe the answers to these questions are known in theory and on paper, but in my opinion, until the nexus between the government-donor agencies-communities-researchers and their responsibilities are clearly defined, the challenge of rural water supply will be with us for quite long. However, the biggest gap is still the political will. Will this crisis increase the urgency of governments to invest in these solutions? We must make sure it does.

The National Nuclear Research Institute of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission with support from other institutions in Ghana and the International Atomic Energy Agency is currently studying the extent to which Ghana shared our groundwater resources with our neighbouring counties in the north (Burkina Faso, Togo). The project also seeks to identify hydrological gaps through consultative stakeholder meetings. These information are vital for future planning of our groundwater usage. The research team is made up of hydro-geologist, hydro-chemist, water quality experts, hydro-geochemist and isotope hydrologist. The unique approach of the institute in water resources management is the use of nuclear techniques which provide more information for better water resources management eg. Isotopes can provide information on the movement of the water, ‘age’, sources of contaminants and their relative contributions etc.

Way forward

When we get to the end of this pandemic, I hope that, as a country, we shall take advantage of the national awareness of handwashing to provide water and handwashing facilities at various places such lorry stations, schools, health facilities, markets and public toilets. The opportunity of exploring groundwater for the provision of potable water to both rural, urban and peri-urban areas have to be explored.

The following are some suggestions to assist in exploring our groundwater potential for sustainable exploitation.

1.The Ministry of Sanitarian and Water Resources should coordinate and maintain a high-level discussion platform which enables consensus on strategic directions, nurtures scientific collaborations and, supports optimal and rapid research to address crucial gaps, without duplication of efforts in the water sector.

2. The advisory body must identify and define areas of research importance in the water sector.

3. The data generated by individual scientist and intuitions must be harmonized and centrally coordinated so that other researchers and students can use them.

4. New school and health facilities must be equipped with water and handwashing facilities.

5. There must be a handwashing facility with water in every school for children to wash their hands after each break before entering the classroom.

Conclusion

The current pandemic sweeping across the world has clearly demonstrated that lack of safe water and good hygiene behaviour put individuals, their families and everyone they encounter at risk. I need not go into the hard reality that Covid 19 is not the end of world pandemic and water will surely be needed in fighting future pandemics.

At the moment, I just want to recall one of the popular speeches delivered at the National Institute of Health by an American president, W Bush Jnr in 2005, and quote “it is vital our nation discuss and address the threat of pandemic flu now……if we wait for a pandemic to appear, it will be too late to prepare….scientist and doctors cannot tell us where and when the next pandemic will strike or how severe it will be, but most agree at some point, we are likely to face another pandemic”. Let’s get to work to provide water to our people, maybe just maybe when another pandemic comes, WATER will be there for our rescue and our lives may depend on it.

About the authors Dr. Gibrilla Abass Research Scientist Ghana Atomic Energy Commission a.gibrilla@gaecgh.org Dr. Ganyaglo Samuel Research Scientist Ghana Atomic Energy Commission sganyaglo@yahoo.com