Several communities across Northern Ghana are grappling with a worsening water crisis as the dry season intensifies, forcing residents—particularly women—to spend long, sleepless nights searching for potable water.
With rains ending nearly two months ago, key water sources such as streams, wells, and seasonal dams have dried up. Boreholes are also recording critically low water levels, increasing competition between humans and livestock for the few remaining water sources and raising serious health and sanitation concerns.
The situation is especially severe in the Chereponi District, where there is no access to piped water. Residents rely largely on boreholes and a commonly used caterpillar dam, which has become unsafe due to runoff carrying dirt, waste, and animal droppings into the water.
A resident who spoke to Channel One News warned that failure to act urgently could have dire consequences. “All the animals in the community drink from the same water and defecate in it for human use. About 80 percent of the people in Chereponi could be affected if nothing is done,” the resident said.
The Assembly Member for Chereponi West, Yaw Nasamu, described the situation as a major water and sanitation challenge and appealed for immediate support. He called on philanthropists, non-governmental organisations, civil society groups, and the government to intervene, while also urging residents to help protect existing water sources.
In Wanchiki, residents say access to water has deteriorated sharply in recent weeks, prompting appeals for urgent intervention to ease the hardship being experienced during the dry season.
Elsewhere in the Northern Region, the Juo community continues to struggle with multiple challenges, including poor water access and the absence of mobile network coverage. For years, non-functional boreholes forced residents and livestock to share limited water sources.
However, some relief has come to Juo following the intervention of Van De Ard Machine Factory, which provided a mechanised borehole to the community. The new facility has significantly eased the burden on residents.
Women in the community expressed joy and gratitude, noting that the borehole will improve sanitation, health, and daily living conditions. A representative of the organisation said the support was driven by the urgent need to assist deprived communities during the dry season, when access to safe drinking water becomes increasingly difficult.
