By: Seth Opoku Agyemang, Sunyani
A new solar-powered water well has been commissioned for residents of Aperekukrom, Buffuorkrom, Pepease and Anwerese, offering the four communities a reliable source of safe drinking water for the first time in years.
The project was led by the Forsports Foundation in partnership with the Cologne Association of Migrant Organizations (KVMO) e.V. in Germany, with funding support from the W.P. Schmitz-Foundation and the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development in Berlin. It is the third solar-powered water initiative by the partners and the first to be completed in the Sunyani West Municipality.
Hundreds of households are expected to benefit from the new facility, which is expected to significantly reduce the daily burden of travelling long distances to fetch water. Community members say the initiative will also improve health outcomes and give schoolchildren more time for academic work.
Speaking at the commissioning, the Bono Regional Minister, Hon. Joseph Addae Akwaboa-Bono, reaffirmed government’s commitment to expanding sustainable water systems across the region. He described access to clean water as a basic human right and commended the partners for their continued investment in rural communities.
The Member of Parliament for Sunyani West, Hon. Millicent Yeboah Amankwah, expressed gratitude to the project collaborators, noting that the well represents “a long-lasting legacy of development” for the beneficiary communities.
The Municipal Chief Executive for Sunyani, Hon. Vincent Antwi Agyei, urged residents to take ownership of the facility to ensure its longevity, while the Local Council Chairman, Hon. Kwame Boateng, thanked the partners for what he described as a life-changing intervention.
As part of the commissioning activities, a WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) workshop was held to educate residents on proper water use, hygiene practices and sanitation.
Residents of the beneficiary communities welcomed the project with excitement, describing it as a major boost to their livelihoods and a sign of hope for a better future.
The initiative underscores the impact of collaborative international and local efforts in improving essential services in rural Ghana.
