Puteh and Totope Residents Urgently Seek Assistance for Water Crisis

Residents of Puteh and Totope in Ghana are facing severe water shortages, prompting urgent calls for intervention. Taps remain dry for most of the year, forcing residents to dig for water. The sanitation crisis exacerbates a cholera outbreak. Local Assembly Member Mr. Prosper Puplampu highlights the ongoing struggle and costs of sourcing water through tankers, appealing for help from various organizations.

Residents of Puteh and Totope, coastal fishing communities in the Ada East District, are urgently appealing for assistance to address an ongoing water shortage crisis that threatens their livelihoods. The community faces a severely limited water supply, with taps remaining dry for most of the year, except during the rainy season. Consequently, residents have resorted to unconventional methods of sourcing water, such as digging holes to collect water for daily use.

These communities are enduring significant challenges in accessing clean water for drinking, sanitation, and hygiene, leading to compromised sanitation practices and worsening a recent cholera outbreak. Mr. Prosper Puplampu, the Assembly Member for the area, expressed that this crisis has persisted over the years, despite repeated appeals to local leaders and the district assembly for assistance.

To alleviate the situation, Mr. Puplampu has contracted water tankers to deliver water to residents, incurring costs of approximately GHC 1,500.00 per delivery. However, these tankers draw water directly from the Volta River, raising concerns about water safety. He indicated that his personal funds for these water purchases are dwindling, risking a significant impact on the community.

Mr. Puplampu reported that all four communities in his electoral area—Aminapa, Midie, Puteh, and Totope—have struggled with water issues for decades, with Totope being the hardest hit. He expressed disappointment after attempting to engage with the Ghana Water Company and the District Sanitation and Water Agency, which cited their own challenges and provided no immediate solutions.

The Assembly Member has formally appealed to government officials, civil society organizations, philanthropists, and non-governmental organizations for urgent intervention. He warned that failure to address the water shortage could precipitate another cholera outbreak, jeopardizing the health and safety of residents.

The residents of Puteh and Totope are in urgent need of intervention to resolve their devastating water scarcity. With the adverse effects on sanitation and public health already evident, the community calls for immediate action from governmental and non-governmental entities. Without comprehensive support, the ongoing water crisis may lead to further public health emergencies, including potential outbreaks of cholera.

Original Source: gna.org.gh