Rotaract Clubs of Obuasi, Kumasi contribute to water and sanitation in Ghana schools

The Rotaract Clubs of Obuasi and Kumasi have launched a significant initiative to improve sanitation and water access in eight schools across their communities.

The project will provide 80 school toilet units and two mechanized boreholes, benefiting over 4,800 people in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.

The sod-cutting ceremony took place at Okyerekrom, with community leaders, chiefs, students, and members of the Akrofuom district in attendance.

This initiative aligns with Rotary International’s focus on water and sanitation, one of its seven key areas of engagement with communities worldwide. Under the theme "Magic of Rotary" for the 2024/25 Rotary year, this $57,000 project is being funded by the Rotary Foundation, Rotary International Districts, and Rotary/Rotaract/Interact Clubs across six countries.

The eight selected schools will each receive 10-seater biofil toilets, with two schools also receiving mechanized boreholes to meet their water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) needs. Additional schools will be provided with water access in future projects.

The project is spearheaded by Rotaractors from Obuasi and Kumasi, Ghana District 9104, in collaboration with William and Mary District 7600 in the USA, Adalar in Turkey, and EClub Premier 7040 in Canada. The initiative aims to support schools in Ghana by providing essential water and sanitation facilities, training community members on hygiene practices, empowering schoolgirls with menstrual hygiene education, and supplying sanitary towels to vulnerable girls.

The beneficiary schools include Okyerekrom D/A School, Adamso Primary/JHS, Buoho JHS, Kokotenten Primary/JHS, Akrofuom R/C School, Afrancho D/A School, Betenase Primary School, and Penteng JHS.

Visiting Rotarians Walter Hughes Jr. and Mark Holland from the USA highlighted the global significance of this project, noting that this is the first global grant led by Rotaractors in District 9104, Ghana. They emphasized the importance of young leaders in Rotary extending their support to neighboring communities.

Rotaractor Godfred Acheampong encouraged students to dream big and shared plans for upcoming mentorship programs within the schools. District Chief Executive for Akrofuom, Rotarian Maurice Jonas Woode, commended the young leaders in Rotary for their efforts and urged the community to sustain these initiatives.

Member of Parliament for Akrofuom, Hon. Alex Blankson, also attended the event to reaffirm his commitment to supporting all Rotary-led projects in the area. Obuasi Rotaract President, Samuel Nuoma, emphasized the importance of collaboration in improving school health conditions through water and sanitation interventions, stating, "Water, as they say, is life."

The Chief and Regent of Okyerekrom, Nana Agyei Amoako Ogyampa II, expressed his gratitude to Rotary for their contributions and pledged to ensure the sustainability and maintenance of the projects within his community.

Rotary International is a global organization of over 1.4 million members dedicated to impacting the world through fellowship and service. In Ghana, Rotary is represented by District 9104, with 70 Rotary and 40 Rotaract clubs working to promote good health, clean water, sanitation, education, peace, maternal and child care, economic development, and environmental responsibility.