By Jones Anlimah
The ongoing water shortage in the Ho Municipality of the Volta Region and its surrounding communities has led to a sharp increase in the price of the popular yellow water storage containers, commonly referred to as “Kufuor gallons.”
Prior to the crisis, a single gallon was sold for between GH₵10 and GH₵15 in the municipality. However, with water becoming scarce, demand for these containers has surged, causing prices to skyrocket to between GH₵30 and GH₵35 per gallon.
With taps running dry for weeks due to repair works at the Kpeve headworks, many residents have been forced to seek alternative ways to store water, driving up the demand for these containers. This has, in turn, created an opportunity for traders to increase prices, taking advantage of the crisis.
“I used to buy a gallon for GH₵12, but today, I was told it’s now GH₵35. This is outrageous, but what can we do? We need water,” a frustrated resident in Ho lamented.
Traders, however, defend the price hikes, citing increased demand and difficulties in restocking. “We are not deliberately increasing the prices. Suppliers have also raised their prices because more people are buying them at once. It’s just a matter of supply and demand,” a local vendor in the Ho market explained.
The price surge has placed a heavy financial burden on low-income households, many of whom are already struggling with the high cost of buying water. Some families, unable to afford the expensive containers, have resorted to using makeshift storage solutions, which may not be safe for storing drinking water.
Public health experts warn that improper water storage can lead to contamination, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhea.
With no clear timeline for full water restoration, residents of Ho remain at the mercy of both the ongoing shortages and the rising cost of essential water storage items.
