Four-year water crisis deepens hardship in Agbozume

Residents of Agbozume and nearby areas in the Ketu South Municipality have been grappling with a severe water crisis for four years. The scarcity has driven many to travel to other towns to purchase water for daily use, thereby increasing the cost of living. Motor tricycles, known as “Aboboyaa,” are often hired to transport water from distant communities.

This water shortage is also impacting schools, health facilities, and workers who require regular access to water. Mr Dan Jerry Sorokpo, a resident of Agbozume, expressed to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the situation is a significant hardship for locals and urged the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) to hold a town hall meeting with community members, traditional leaders, workers, and residents.

The Agbozume Community Borehole, constructed by a corporate organization and later handed over to local stakeholders for management by GWCL, collapsed in mid-2023 during heavy rainfall, halting the Agbozume Water System's operations. Although GWCL drilled new boreholes in mid-2024, the restoration of water supply has not been achieved.

Mr Sorokpo expressed concern that residents and stakeholders have not received official communication from the company regarding the water system's status or the obstacles hindering its restoration. The water shortage is placing additional financial pressure on households, as residents spend considerable sums to buy and transport water from other towns.

The crisis is particularly challenging for clinics, Community Health Centres, and schools, where water is essential for sanitation and efficient service delivery. Mr Sorokpo has petitioned the Volta Regional Manager of GWCL to organize a stakeholder town hall meeting to brief the community on the current water system status, restoration challenges, and future plans.

He believes such an engagement would help restore confidence among residents and provide clarity on efforts to resolve the prolonged water crisis.