Clean water is vaccine against diseases – Dr Sodzi-Tettey

Residents of Leklebi Agbesia in the Afadjato South District of the Volta Region now have access to a mechanised borehole water facility following the commissioning of a new water system under the Community Focus Foundation Ghana (CFF-Ghana) Safe Water Access Project.

The initiative, which was generously funded by the personal contribution of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Vaccine Institute, Dr Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, aims to improve access to safe drinking water, reduce waterborne diseases and support education and livelihoods in the community.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Saturday 25th July 2026, Dr Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey described clean water as a preventive health intervention, saying it plays the same protective role against diseases as vaccines.

The project forms part of the Community Focus Foundation Ghana's (CFF-Ghana) response to findings from the Volta Regional Water Dialogue held in collaboration with the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) in 2025, which revealed that the region requires about 900 mechanised boreholes to bridge the existing water access gap.

CFF-Ghana subsequently launched the Safe Water Access Project to complement efforts of the Volta Regional Minister, Hon. James Gunu, in expanding access to potable water in underserved communities while contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal Six (SDG6) targets.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Sodzi-Tettey explained that vaccines protect people before they become ill, and clean water performs a similar preventive function by reducing exposure to diseases.

"When people fall sick, they are given medicine, but vaccines are administered before illness to build immunity. In the same way, clean water can be viewed as a vaccine because safe water for drinking, cooking, bathing and handwashing protects children and communities from diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid and other waterborne diseases," he said.

He noted that access to potable water becomes particularly difficult during the dry season, forcing many communities to rely on unsafe water sources that expose residents to preventable illnesses.

"When there is no clean water, people resort to unhygienic sources, children fall sick and valuable school hours are lost searching for water. That is why supporting this project was an opportunity to serve our communities," he stated.

Dr Sodzi-Tettey added that the initiative reflects President John Dramani Mahama's development agenda, stressing that national development should benefit every part of the country, including rural communities such as Leklebi Agbesia.

Executive Director of CFF-Ghana, Richard Kasu, described the commissioning as more than the inauguration of a water facility, saying it represents hope, partnership and sustainable community development.

"Access to clean and safe drinking water is not a privilege. It is a fundamental human right. Yet many rural communities continue to struggle with access to potable water, exposing families to disease, reducing school attendance and affecting economic productivity," he said.

He explained that CFF-Ghana's intervention goes beyond drilling boreholes by promoting public health, supporting education, reducing the burden on women and children who travel long distances for water, improving livelihoods and encouraging community ownership for long-term sustainability.

Mr Kasu disclosed that the organisation plans to commission about 10 mechanised boreholes annually, beginning with existing boreholes that require mechanisation before expanding to new drilling projects.

"Our focus is to mechanise already drilled boreholes because many have been abandoned without pumping systems. So far, we have completed two projects, and another will soon follow. We are appealing to corporate organisations and development partners to support this initiative because government alone cannot meet every community's water needs," he said.

He revealed that the Leklebi Agbesia facility is capable of producing about 90 litres of water per minute and is equipped with two storage tanks with a combined capacity of approximately 10,500 litres.

The Member of Parliament for Afadjato South, Hon. Frank Afriyie, commended CFF-Ghana, Dr Sodzi-Tettey, and the District Chief Executive, Hon. Manfred Tawiah, for their collaborative effort that led to the mechanisation of the borehole.

He noted that the facility is proof of the good leadership of President John Dramani Mahama and the NDC party, as he emphasised that more projects are underway for the development of Afadjato South in the coming days.

The District Chief Executive for Afadjato South, Hon. Manfred Tawiah, in an interview with journalists, also revealed that part of the government's plan to address water challenges is to drill 10 boreholes each year, but the district plans to drill 30 yearly.

He added that, by the end of next month, funds will be released to drill boreholes in every corner of the district, as well as community water projects, especially at tourist sites including Liati Wote, where the popular Afadjato Mountain and Tagbo waterfalls reside.

Assembly Member for the Fiafe Electoral Area, Joseph Gakpo, said the community had struggled with water shortages for years after three of its four boreholes broke down.

He explained that residents had depended on a nearby stream, which often dries up during the dry season and is increasingly contaminated by agrochemicals from cocoa farms located upstream.

"We have been crying for clean and potable water. Sometimes we depend on the stream, but chemicals from farming activities find their way into the water. This project has brought great relief to our growing population of more than 8,000 people," he said.

Mr Gakpo commended CFF-Ghana, the District Chief Executive, project sponsor, traditional authorities and all partners for responding to the community's appeal and urged residents to take ownership of the facility to ensure its sustainability for future generations.

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