The struggles of residents, particularly women in the Gbanbapong Community in the Saboba District of the Northern Region who walked long distances in search of potable water has come to an end.
The residents, who shared contaminated water with animals now have access to potable water through the efforts of World Vision International.
World Vision International, a non-governmental organisation has provided the community with a mechanized solar powered borehole to provide water to the residents.
About 7 stand pipes have been extended to various points in the community including the health centre and the primary school in the community.
The system cost $45,000.00, which translates to about 310, 500.00 Ghana cedis
At a short ceremony to commission and handover the facilities, the Cluster Manager of World Vision, Mr. Joshua Kwogyenga, urged community members to maintain the facility.
“These are efforts of World Vision Ghana to bring safe water to children and communities in Ghana. I recommend that you put in place well designed sustainable measures to continue maintain the facility.”
He recommended to the government and other stakeholders to adopt and replicate the model in the district.
“We recommend that government and any other collaborators who are working towards achieving the bigger SDG agenda adopt and replicate the model as the district will benefit more”
The Chief of the community, Ubor Gmalimor Akwa Peter III, on behalf of the community, thanked World Vision for the project. Speaking through the Assembly Member, Ponada p. Abraham, the Chief said, “We thank World Vision for this great support and it is our belief that this will help transform the lives of the people in this community. People will now have time to engage in other businesses to help raise the standards of living.”
Some women who spoke to Citi News expressed delight saying it will go a long way to reduce their sufferings.
“We are very happy and we thank World Vision for the support given to us. We used to suffer a lot to gain access to potable drinking water, but now we are safe, our sufferings are over.”
The officer in charge of the community’s Health Centre is optimistic the project will contribute to quality healthcare delivery.
“This is going to help in the provision of quality healthcare. Our staff now have water to wash their hands, and it will improve health delivery.”
For some school children, they are delighted they will no longer spend school hours in search of water.
“We the children now have water to bath and go to school. We’ll now be punctual in school.”
The committee responsible for the management of the facility pledged to ensure strict maintenance.
“We are going to put in measures to ensure that the system is maintained. We will find ways to raise funds for the maintenance.”
