'Happiness Is To Make Others Happy': The Ernst Peyer Legacy

Pastor Ernst Peyer spent many years of his lifetime in Ghana as the last missionary of the Basel Mission to the country. He pursued happiness by making others happy. With an exceptional creative power and an unflinching commitment, he accomplished exemplary feats, which earned him high acceptance and respect within the Ghanaian population. Thirty years after his passing, the Ernst Peyer Foundation continues his work.

Ernst Peyer was born in 1906 and died in 1988. After his passing, his friends founded the Ernst Peyer Foundation, a non-religious and non-political charitable organisation, which embarks on development cooperation and humanitarian aid projects in Ghana. The Foundation is committed to improving public welfare in the less privileged rural communities of Ghana. Its emphasis lies on self-sustaining projects in the fields of water, sanitation, hygiene, health and communal infrastructure. The foundation's projects are executed in collaboration with local partners, public authorities and rural communities. The overall goal is a shift of responsibility from the foundation to the local stakeholders for the maintenance of equipment and services.

Focusing on Northern Ghana
In order to successfully execute its projects, the Ernst Peyer Foundation is cooperating closely with local partners. One of which is Water Vision Technology. Established in 1998, Water Vision Technology is now one of the major water and sanitation service providers in the Northern sector of Ghana, with a wealth of experience and a reputation for competence and reliability. The partnership between Ernst Peyer Foundation and Water Vision Technology begun in 2013 with the rehabilitation of non-functional boreholes / pumps in the Upper East Region of Ghana.

The Bongo District was the first to benefit from the support with 77 boreholes / pumps rehabilitated, serving a population of about 23,100 people. Considering the impact on the communities and the district at large, the project was replicated in the Kassena Nankana West District in 2015, where 54 boreholes / pumps were rehabilitated, serving about 17,000 people. The current focus lies on the rural area of the Bolgatanga Municipality. This project of the Ernst Peyer Foundation in partnership with Water Vision Technology is expected to improve the lives of about 11000 people within 40 pump communities.

The Ernst Peyer Foundation and its local partners will continue to support communities by financing pump rehabilitation projects in order to improve water supply and hygiene in rural areas. However, the main responsibility for a sustainable and responsible maintenance of the infrastructure lies with the communities and beneficiaries themselves. In order to achieve this ultimate goal, it is necessary that the respective District Assemblies provide further financial and technical support as well as staff to the affected communities.

On the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the passing of Ernst Peyer, the board and patrons of the Ernst Peyer Foundation in Switzerland wish to thank all the Ghanaian partners for a fruitful collaboration. As we hold up the torch of service to humanity, we are reminded that true happiness is to make others happy.'