In the heart of the Ashanti Region of Ghana, in a small town called Asankare, the daily quest for clean water has been a defining feature of life. Like many other towns in the region, Asankare lacked access to safe, piped water. Instead, residents relied on a nearby stream and a dug well from a private vendor, neither of which provided enough water nor the safety needed for their families. This struggle particularly burdened the women and children, who spent much of their time searching for clean water for their families, exposing them to waterborne diseases and depriving them of time for other productive activities.
Beatrice Antwiwaa, a 48-year-old resident, knows this struggle all too well. Every day was a race against time, travelling distances to fetch water that was not always safe to drink. Children, like her own, would often fall sick from contaminated water, and the burden of care weighed heavily on families.
However, things have started to change for Beatrice and the people of Asankare. Thanks to a community water management project facilitated by WSUP Ghana and an anonymous donor, a new mechanized borehole has been installed in the heart of the community. This development has brought a significant change, providing Asankare’s 4,000 residents with something they have been longing for: clean, safe drinking water.
Beatrice beams with joy as she stands by the new borehole, water flowing freely into her bucket. She speaks with pride, “I have joy that everyone in my community can now access safe drinking water. We are grateful for this blessing, and we will do everything we can to ensure that, when you come back in a few years, the facility will still be functional and in use.”
The new borehole is more than just a source of clean water—it represents hope, health, and opportunity. Children can now focus on their education instead of trekking long distances for water. It means that mothers like Beatrice can dedicate their time to other activities that could bring income and prosperity to their families. It means fewer cases of waterborne diseases and healthier, happier children.
The entire Asankare community gathered at the central square to celebrate the new borehole, a long-awaited dream finally fulfilled. The new facility symbolizes progress and a brighter future for the chief and elders. Women and children, who used to bear the brunt of the daily water search, now find relief in having clean water just a few steps away.
Beatrice is also part of the community-based water and sanitation management committee trained by WSUP to ensure the sustainability of the new facility. She feels a deep responsibility to protect this precious resource and ensure it serves her community for generations to come.
WSUP has been working in Ghana since 2010, bringing water, sanitation, and hygiene solutions to underserved communities. Across the country, their efforts have reached millions: over 430,000 people have improved access to water, more than 1.1 million people have improved sanitation, and nearly 12.6 million have received hygiene education. Each statistic tells a story like Beatrice’s—of communities transformed by the simple yet profound gift of clean water.