Residents of Puteh and Totope are grappling with a severe water shortage, only having access to running water during the rainy season. The lack of potable water has raised health concerns, particularly with a cholera outbreak. Local Assembly Member Mr. Prosper Puplampu has been using water tankers to supply water at great expense, while residents are urged for immediate assistance to avert further public health crises.
Residents of Puteh and Totope, coastal communities in the Ada East District, are facing a dire water shortage crisis that jeopardizes their livelihoods. For most of the year, their taps remain dry, forcing them to resort to unconventional methods for water sourcing, such as digging holes within their neighborhoods to collect water needed for daily activities.
The severity of the situation is particularly acute in Puteh and Totope, with residents struggling to obtain clean water for drinking, sanitation, and hygiene. The shortage of potable water has compromised hygiene practices and has contributed to a recent cholera outbreak in the region.
Mr. Prosper Puplampu, the Assembly Member for these communities, reported that the water crisis has persisted for years despite repeated appeals to government officials and the district assembly for assistance. He has resorted to contracting water tankers to supply the communities, incurring substantial costs of at least GHC 1,500.00 per tanker, though this water is sourced directly from the river Volta.
Mr. Puplampu further highlighted that these communities have received Aquatabs from the Ada East District to purify the river water. However, he indicated that his financial resources are depleting due to the regular purchases of water, making it increasingly difficult to sustain this vital support for the community, which could have severe implications for public health.
The Assembly Member expressed disappointment at the lack of support from the Ghana Water Company and the District Sanitation and Water Agency, which have cited their own ongoing challenges. He has made a plea for immediate intervention from the government, civil society organizations, NGOs, and the public to avert a potential resurgence of cholera in the community.
The communities of Puteh and Totope are enduring a significant water crisis that has persisted for years, affecting their health and livelihoods. With limited support from official sources, residents rely on makeshift solutions which pose additional health risks. Urgent intervention from various stakeholders is crucial to provide a sustainable solution to the water shortage in these vulnerable communities, especially to prevent further outbreaks of cholera.
Original Source: gna.org.gh
