For years, the people of Dekpo-Horme in the Keta-North Municipality have been facing a major challenge – the lack of access to clean and safe drinking water.
The community relies on a dam that was constructed back in 1982 for irrigation purposes. However, this dam water has become heavily contaminated, as residents share it with domestic animals such as cows, goats, and sheep.
The unfortunate reality is that the dam water is not only used for drinking but also for cooking, washing, and bathing. Despite knowing that the water is polluted, the residents have no other choice but to continue using it. The situation worsens during the rainy season, as all kinds of contaminants including debris and human and animal excrement get washed into the dam.
The community, which is home to over 12,000 residents, has been facing this issue for the past 15 years. The continuous bathing and defecation in the dam, coupled with the drinking of the water by animals, have made it a breeding ground for waterborne diseases. The residents are now appealing for urgent intervention to prevent any potential outbreak.
In a bid to help, a philanthropist donated a mechanized borehole to the community some years ago. However, the borehole has since broken down, leaving the residents back to square one. The people of Dekpo-Horme are now calling on the government, philanthropists, and churches to come to their aid and provide a sustainable solution to their water woes.
Some of the women in the community shared their frustration with the situation, highlighting the challenges they face on a daily basis. Makafui Mensa, the community’s Development Chairman, stressed the need for immediate action to address the contamination of the dam water. The current state of the water, he said, poses more of a threat than a blessing to the community.
The plea for assistance is clear – the people of Dekpo-Horme need access to clean and safe drinking water to ensure their health and well-being. It is time for stakeholders to come together and find a lasting solution to this pressing issue before it escalates into a full-blown crisis.
By Robert Abilba
