Clean Water Still a Luxury: Why Many Communities Are Left Behind

By Kwame

Tumu, Upper West Ghana — At 5:15 a.m., 13-year-old Mabel Kuunu sets off with a yellow gallon balanced on her head. She walks two kilometers to a muddy stream — the only source of water her village has known for generations. By the time she returns, she’s missed her morning lessons at school.

“We use this water for everything,” she says, “even though it tastes bad.”

Despite Ghana’s middle-income status and ambitious development goals, access to clean and safe drinking water remains a daily struggle for millions, especially in rural areas. In some places, water is not just scarce — it’s a luxury.

The Water Access Landscape

According to the 2023 Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey:

Over 23% of rural households still rely on unsafe surface water, unprotected wells, or rivers
One in four schools lack access to clean drinking water on-site
Women and girls bear the brunt of water collection, often losing hours each day
Diarrheal diseases caused by unsafe water remain a top 10 cause of child mortality

“These statistics are not just numbers,” says water engineer Joyce Asiedu. “They represent missed school, lost wages, and preventable illnesses.”

Why the Crisis Persists

1. Infrastructure Gaps
Many rural communities lack boreholes, piped water, or proper filtration systems.

“Even when the pipes are laid, maintenance is poor,” says Joyce. “One broken pump can leave an entire village stranded.”

2. Seasonal Variability
In northern Ghana, dry seasons can stretch for months, drying up surface sources and forcing reliance on distant or contaminated streams.

3. Rapid Urbanization
Urban slums often outgrow existing water infrastructure. In areas like Nima and Agbogbloshie, residents compete for limited water points — often shared by hundreds.

4. Corruption and Mismanagement
Water projects are frequently delayed or abandoned due to misallocation of funds.

“I’ve seen boreholes promised for elections and never delivered,” says local journalist Kojo Adjei.

The Human Cost

Health:
Unsafe water contributes to typhoid, cholera, and diarrhea. The World Health Organization estimates that over 70% of disease outbreaks in Ghana are waterborne.

Education:
Girls often miss school during their menstrual cycles if schools lack clean water for sanitation.

Productivity:
Time spent fetching water eats into hours that could be used for work, study, or care.

“I spend almost four hours a day on water,” says Akosua, a mother of three in Eastern Region. “By the time I’m done, I’m too tired for anything else.”

Stories from the Field

In Wa West District, a borehole installed in 2017 broke down within a year. The nearest alternative was a stream also used by animals.

“When we boil the water, it still smells,” says Ibrahim, a community leader. “We use it because we have no choice.”

In Ashanti Region, residents of a peri-urban community near Ejisu pay water vendors up to ₵2 per gallon during shortages.

“It’s clean but expensive,” says Beatrice. “If you can’t afford it, you use the well.”

Government Response: Progress and Gaps

The Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources has made some strides:

Launched “Water for All” campaign
Partnered with UNICEF and NGOs for community boreholes
Expanded Ghana Water Company Ltd’s urban network

Yet critics say efforts remain disjointed, poorly coordinated, and often exclude the most remote areas.

“There’s a lot of talk,” says policy analyst Richard Owusu. “But implementation lags behind.”

Private Sector and NGO Efforts

Organizations like Safe Water Network, World Vision, and WaterAid have stepped in with small-scale solutions:

Solar-powered boreholes
Community-led maintenance programs
Low-cost household filtration kits

“These work,” says Joyce, “but they’re not scalable unless government gets fully involved.”

The Role of Innovation

Some promising ideas gaining ground include:

Rainwater harvesting in schools
Smart water meters to reduce loss and theft
Mobile alerts for broken water points
Drones to map underserved areas

But funding and training remain challenges.

What Needs to Change

Experts recommend:

A national water audit to identify underserved regions
Sustainable maintenance funding for community water points
Stronger collaboration between local assemblies and engineers
Inclusion of water access in national poverty measurements
Enforcement of water quality standards by EPA and GSA

“Water must be seen as a right, not a privilege,” says Richard. “And access must be equitable.”

Final Thought

For Mabel and millions like her, clean water isn’t about luxury — it’s about dignity, health, and opportunity. Until taps run in every home and school, Ghana’s water story remains unfinished.

“We pray for rain,” says Mabel’s grandmother. “But what we really need is justice in the pipes.”