Residents in Puteh and Totope, fishing communities in Ada East District, face a severe water shortage that threatens their health and livelihoods. The lack of clean water has worsened sanitary conditions and increased cholera risks. Local leaders, including Assembly Member Mr. Prosper Puplampu, have sought assistance but have encountered challenges, prompting urgent appeals for intervention from government and NGOs.
Residents of Puteh and Totope, coastal communities in the Ada East District, are experiencing a severe water crisis that threatens their livelihoods. They report that their water taps remain dry throughout most of the year, only relying on the rainy season for water supply. With little access to clean water, community members have resorted to digging holes to collect water for their daily needs.
The situation has worsened sanitation practices in these communities, leading to a spike in cholera cases. Mr. Prosper Puplampu, the Assembly Member for the area, notes that the community has faced this crisis for years despite repeated appeals for assistance from local leaders and the district assembly. He has been forced to hire water tankers to supply water, costing around GHC 1,500.00 per tanker, which is sourced directly from the river Volta.
To manage the dire water situation, the Ada East District has provided residents with Aquatabs for water purification. However, Mr. Puplampu has exhausted his personal funds through weekly water purchases, leaving the sustainability of this solution in jeopardy. He highlights that all four communities within his electoral area are grappling with similar water challenges, particularly Totope, which is the most affected.
In his quest for relief, Mr. Puplampu has engaged with the Ghana Water Company and District Sanitation and Water Agency, but has met with limited success due to their own operational challenges. He has made a heartfelt appeal to the government, civil society organizations, philanthropists, non-governmental organizations, and the general public for urgent assistance, warning that failure to act could trigger a further cholera outbreak in the region.
In conclusion, the persistent water crisis in Puteh and Totope has led to significant public health risks, including increased cases of cholera. The efforts by local leaders to seek assistance have not yielded substantial results, demanding immediate intervention from governmental bodies and organizations to restore access to clean water. Without timely action, the situation could deteriorate further, endangering the wellbeing of the residents.
Original Source: gna.org.gh
