From Meaningful Dialogue to Action: How Community Focus Foundation Ghana and Its Partners Are Addressing Water Challenges in Rural Volta

Access to safe and reliable water remains one of the most pressing development challenges confronting many rural communities in Ghana's Volta Region. For years, residents in several communities have struggled with inadequate water infrastructure, dependence on unsafe water sources, and the health and economic burdens associated with water scarcity.

According to the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey Report 2022, only about 24% of the population in the Volta Region has access to improved water and sanitation services. Open defecation remains prevalent, with rates as high as 90.4% in some municipal areas. These issues pose serious health risks and hinder progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims to ensure access to safe water and sanitation for all by 2030.

Another staggering data from the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) indicates that Volta region needs about 900 mechanized boreholes to bridge the prevailing water gap.

Recognizing the urgent need for sustainable solutions, the Community Focus Foundation Ghana (CFF-Ghana), in collaboration with Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) organized the first ever Volta Water Dialogue on 24th August, 2025 at Stevens Hotel in Ho to diagnose water, sanitation and hygiene challenges and co-create solutions with the view of giving relief to residents.

One may ask, beyond the Volta Water Dialogue, what is the strategic direction to addressing the water challenge?

Moving Beyond dialogue discussions, CFF-Ghana and its partners have supported initiatives focused on:

Improving Water Infrastructure in rural communities in the Volta Region. Efforts have been directed toward rehabilitating non-functional boreholes, supporting the construction of new water facilities, and strengthening maintenance systems to ensure long-term sustainability.

By placing rural communities at the center of the conversation, we had already mechanized two (2) boreholes at Dodome Dogblorme in the Ho West District and Leklebi Agbesia in Afadzato South District respectively.

Alongside water interventions, we have been involved in public education campaigns as well to promote safe water handling, sanitation, and hygiene practices, helping to reduce the incidence of preventable diseases.

Addressing water challenges requires collective action. CFF-Ghana continues to work with local government institutions, traditional authorities, civil society organizations, individuals, development partners, and community members among others to mobilize resources and ensure coordinated responses.

While complementing government efforts in water infrastructure provision, challenges remain. In the face of the challenges, one thing is certain. Once we become intentional about issues regarding water access as a people and fully commit to same, there's no way we can't surmount the challenges.

Community Focus Foundation Ghana believes that meaningful dialogue must always lead to measurable action. Through partnerships, community participation, and a commitment to sustainable development, the organization remains dedicated to ensuring that rural communities in the Volta Region have access to clean and safe water they deserve.

As Ghana advances its development agenda, the experience in rural Volta demonstrates that when communities are heard and stakeholders work together, lasting solutions to water challenges can be achieved.

That's is our shared mission and we are focused on building the necessary partnerships needed to addressing water, sanitation and hygiene challenges in rural Volta.

The end will surely justify the means.
Akpe nami!
Written by Richard Kasu, Development Expert & Executive Director, CFF-Ghana, [email protected]