CFF-Ghana complements RCC's effort in bridging water access gap in rural Volta

The Community Focus Foundation Ghana (CFF-Ghana) has reaffirmed its commitment to complementing the efforts of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) in addressing the region's water challenges with the commissioning of a mechanised borehole water facility at Leklebi Agbesia in the Afadzato South District.

The project, implemented under CFF-Ghana's Safe Water Access Project, is expected to provide hundreds of residents with reliable access to safe drinking water while reducing the prevalence of waterborne diseases and improving livelihoods.

The intervention follows the Volta Regional Water Dialogue organised by CFF-Ghana and the VRCC in August 2025, where it emerged that the Volta Region requires about 900 mechanised boreholes to bridge the water access gap. Rather than limiting the engagement to discussions and recommendations, CFF-Ghana resolved to translate the outcomes into practical interventions by supporting communities with sustainable water infrastructure.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Executive Director of CFF-Ghana, Richard Kasu, said the organisation launched the Safe Water Access Project to complement government and VRCC efforts to improve access to potable water in underserved communities across the region.

"We said it was not going to be just another dialogue that ends with a communiqué. We wanted to move into the communities and provide solutions. That is why we have started this project, and our target is to commission about ten mechanised boreholes every year," he said.

Mr Kasu disclosed that the organisation is prioritising the mechanisation of existing boreholes that have become non-functional before embarking on drilling new ones.

"We realised that many boreholes have already been drilled but remain unusable because they have not been mechanised. Our immediate focus is to restore those facilities before expanding to new projects. So far, we have completed two projects, and another one will soon follow," he stated.

He explained that the newly commissioned facility is capable of producing about 90 litres of water per minute and is supported by two storage tanks with a combined capacity of approximately 10,500 litres. He appealed to corporate organisations and development partners to support the initiative, stressing that government alone cannot meet the water needs of every community.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Vaccine Institute, Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, who funded the project, described access to clean water as one of the most effective preventive healthcare interventions, comparing it to vaccination against infectious diseases.

"When people are vaccinated, they are protected before they become sick. In the same way, clean water acts like a vaccine because it protects communities from diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid and other waterborne diseases before they occur," he said.

He noted that many rural communities resort to unsafe water sources during the dry season, increasing their exposure to preventable diseases.

"When there is no clean water, people are forced to use unhygienic sources, children fall sick and valuable time meant for education is spent searching for water. That is why we considered it important to support this initiative," he added.

Mr Sodzi-Tettey further stated that the project reflects President John Dramani Mahama's commitment to inclusive national development, saying the government's agenda is reaching communities beyond the capital through partnerships with institutions committed to development.

Assembly Member for the Fiafe Electoral Area, Joseph Gakpo, said the project has brought relief to residents who have struggled with water shortages for years after three of the community's four boreholes broke down.

According to him, residents depended on a nearby stream, which frequently dries up during the Harmattan season and is increasingly contaminated by agrochemicals from cocoa farms located upstream.

"We have been crying for clean and potable water for years. This facility is a major relief because our population has grown to more than 8,000 people, making access to safe water even more difficult," he said.

Mr Gakpo commended CFF-Ghana, Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, the District Chief Executive, traditional leaders and other partners for responding to the community's appeal. He urged residents to take collective responsibility for maintaining the facility to ensure it continues to serve future generations.

The Leklebi Agbesia project marks another significant milestone in CFF-Ghana's partnership with the VRCC to bridge the water access gap in rural Volta, while contributing to improved public health safety and sustainable community development across the region.

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