Access to safe water remains a challenge to Osudoku residents

Access to clean, safe and treated water remains a challenge to the people of Osudoku in the Dangme West District, the foremost official at Water Aid Ghana (WAG), has observed.

Although the residents are surrounded by copious natural water resource from the Volta River, the challenge of access to clean and treated water that beleaguered the residents sounds paradoxical.

Dr Afia Zakiya, Country Director of Water Aid, Ghana (WAG) who spoke to the Ghana News Agency in an interview at Osudoku said the people could not afford to think that the water resources surrounding them would last forever in the face of effects of climate change and threat of pollution.

“They cannot assure themselves that the water would be there forever,” she stressed.

Dr Zakiya called for pragmatic water conservation measures to consolidate efforts aimed at providing access to clean, fresh and safely treated water.

She called on the residents to construct quality concrete ceilings for their buildings that could support rain water harvesting and filtration system for the harvested water.

Dr Zakiya called for strong enforcement of taboos that protected sacred groves for the water resources.

She expressed dissatisfaction that only a few trees could be seen planted along the river banks, adding that, increased tree-planting exercises would save the water bodies from drying up.

Osudoku was the venue chosen to mark the climax of this year’s weeklong World Water Day celebration on the theme: "Water and Food Security: Call for Solutions.”

It was a Day set aside to sensitise the public on the importance of freshwater and to encourage sustainable management of water resources.

It was also to inspire the community and the media’s attention and action geared towards encouraging greater awareness and understanding of win-win solutions for an unbreakable relation between water, food, health and the environment.

The Day was marked under the auspices of Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing and with the support of other organizations including WAG.

WAG, an international charity dedicated to poverty alleviation and effects of sickness caused by living without safe water and sanitation, had worked in Ghana since 1985, helping to provide some of the poorest people with access to water, sanitation and education on hygiene.

Over the years, it has developed to become one of the most distinguished and credible civil society organisations, involved in the community water and sanitation sector.

WAG works to help establish sustainable water supplies and latrines, and to influence Government policy to serve the interests of the vulnerable people.**