By Jones Anlimah
Residents of Ho Municipality and its surrounding areas in the Volta Region are grappling with the ripple effects of an acute water shortage caused by emergency repair works at the Kpeve headworks.
Since Thursday, January 2, 2025, Ghana Water Limited (GWL) announced disruptions to water supply, leaving communities such as Peki, Have, Bame, Akrofu, Ziave, Klefe, and the entire Ho township without access to potable and safe drinking water.
Prior to the announcement and closure of the Kpeve headworks, some residents within the Ho Municipality were already experiencing erratic water supply for weeks. As such, the repercussions of the prolonged period of dry taps are becoming increasingly evident.
For many residents, the lack of access to clean and safe water has disrupted daily life. Households are struggling to maintain basic hygiene practices, businesses are incurring extra costs to purchase water, and schools are finding it challenging to ensure a clean environment for students. Amid these struggles, there are growing fears that the prolonged water crisis may lead to a resurgence of open defecation in some affected communities.
A Hygiene Crisis in the Making
In the absence of a reliable water supply, some residents have turned to alternative and often unsafe sources, such as streams and unprotected wells. However, for those who cannot afford to buy water or access these sources, open defecation—often in bushes or near streams and wells, with its associated health risks—becomes an unintended consequence.
“When there is no water, toilets cannot be flushed, and handwashing becomes difficult. Some people have no choice but to resort to the bushes or open spaces for defecation. This is not just about convenience; it’s about survival,” an opinion leader in Ho explained.
The fear of open defecation is not unfounded. Inadequate sanitation facilities and poor water supply have long been linked to the practice, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas. According to a UNICEF report, open defecation contributes to the spread of diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, and typhoid—all of which are preventable with proper sanitation and hygiene practices.
Vulnerable Populations at Risk
Children and the elderly are the most vulnerable during this water shortage. “How to get water to bathe my children before school is now a big problem. We don’t even have enough for drinking and cooking. I’m worried about their health and hygiene,” Mrs. Akosua Ahiable, a mother of four in Ho, lamented.
Public health experts warn that prolonged water shortages can lead to an increase in waterborne diseases, compounding the challenges faced by the local health system.
The Call for Action
While Ghana Water Limited has assured the public of ongoing repair works, residents are calling for swift and sustainable solutions. “This water crisis highlights the need for investment in resilient water infrastructure and public education on hygiene practices. Without water, sanitation and hygiene efforts cannot be sustained, and we risk reversing the progress made in eradicating open defecation,” an anonymous journalist in the Ho Municipality said.
A Shared Responsibility
As the crisis continues, residents and authorities alike are urged to work together to mitigate its effects. There is a need to undertake public health campaigns emphasising the importance of safe hygiene practices to prevent outbreaks of disease.
The water shortage in Ho Municipality and its environs serves as a stark reminder of the interdependence of water, sanitation, and health. As the taps remain dry, the call for sustainable solutions grows louder, underscoring the need for collective action to address both immediate and long-term challenges.
