Seven-month water crisis hits Dawhenya, disrupts healthcare, schooling and homes

A prolonged water crisis in Dawhenya and surrounding areas has severely impacted healthcare, education, and daily life for residents, with communities enduring a lack of regular pipe-borne water for about seven months. The scarcity has forced many households to rely on untreated borehole water for cooking and other domestic activities, raising concerns about growing public health risks.

Sackey Bediako Community Health Planning and Services Compound has been operating without a reliable water supply, causing health workers to implore the Ghana Water Company to provide the necessary support. The shortage has also hindered maternal healthcare, as some expectant mothers are compelled to travel outside the community for antenatal care and deliveries due to inadequate facilities and persistent water issues.

Private health facilities in the region are grappling with the shortage, one of which has not received water through its lines since January 2026 and has had to rely on expensive water tankers. Schools in the affected communities are struggling with sanitation and hygiene challenges, as residents worry about the broader public health implications of the ongoing crisis.

Community members and health workers have united to urge the Ghana Water Company and other authorities to urgently address the situation and restore a regular water supply to the impacted areas.