After years of battling the harsh realities of unsafe drinking water, the people of Anoe, a farming community in the Ho West District of the Volta Region, can now heave a sigh of relief. Their long struggle has been eased with the provision of a 20,000-litre mechanised borehole that delivers safe, reliable, and potable water.
For decades, residents of Kpedze Anoe relied heavily on the Atidze River, an untreated water source that snaked its way through the community. During the rainy season, rainwater offered some respite, but in the long dry months, women and children often trekked long distances to fetch water from the river. The consequences were dire, exposure to waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, and typhoid, coupled with the physical toll of the daily struggle for water.
This troubling cycle has now been broken through the intervention of Growth Aid, a non-governmental organization, in partnership with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Together, they commissioned and handed over a mechanized borehole to the community, marking a turning point in the lives of the people of Anoe.
“This is a life-changing project. Our people will no longer risk their lives drinking unsafe water. With potable water now available, diseases such as diarrhoea and cholera will be a thing of the past,” said Alhaji Akao Minkaila, Assembly Member for the area, his voice filled with both gratitude and relief.
The Chief Executive Officer of Growth Aid, Dr. Joe Lambongang, emphasized that the initiative was designed to restore dignity and alleviate the suffering of the people. “No community should be deprived of clean drinking water. Access to safe water is not a privilege, it is a right,” he stressed.
For the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the project was more than a humanitarian act—it was a demonstration of faith. Representing the Church, Elder Ignatius Baido explained: “Our support is rooted in the biblical commandment to love God and to love one’s neighbour. This borehole is a reflection of that commitment.”
The District Chief Executive for Ho West, Professor Francis Dussey, also lauded the effort, noting that such interventions reinforce the values of human dignity and equity. He urged other organizations and individuals to support ongoing efforts to address water challenges in the district.
The new facility is expected to significantly improve health and sanitation standards while reducing the burden on women and children who bore the brunt of the daily water search. Beyond the immediate health benefits, leaders and residents are optimistic that this development will trigger more transformative projects in the area.
With access to potable water secured, Kpedze Anoe now looks forward to a future where clean water is not just a blessing but a foundation for growth, productivity, and dignity.
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