Safe water borehole for Maasegon, Wa West District, Upper West Region

Since the community was established in 1975, when the water supply was ample and the rainy seasons reliable, the people of Maasegon have seen their annual water resources shrink and dry up for long periods due to climate change. Having nowhere else to move to, they had been suffering real hardships due to the unsafe, diseased water that had become the norm for them.

In January 2025, all that changed. They now enjoy the basic necessity of life, having safe water for the first time. No more the suffering of walking long distances, no more lateness and sickness from school, no more constant worrying about where to look for water, no more thirst and no more water-borne diseases. The water yield from the new borehole is providing a good, sustainable source — a sign of a healthy water table.

For Kumma Egua, having the borehole nearby reduces her burden of looking for water and walking great distances every day, especially during the driest months. She used to look for water and often fell, and because of that she has lasting difficulties. Now that the water is there, she can rest easy, without worrying about where to look or dig for water the following day.

For Ketcheu Maas, a blind woman in her 70s, she is very happy to know that there is water close by, as she will no longer have to walk to the river to fetch. She can now easily walk to the borehole and collect her water without digging a hole, and it won’t be dangerous for her. She added that the community will no longer suffer as they did before the borehole arrived, and she is happy to know that they are now assured of having potable water.

This project was made possible through the generous support of Banbury Chernell Rotary Club, Leeds Roundhay Rotary Club, and Victoria (Spain) Rotary Club, in partnership with Ghana Outlook. Our thanks once again to Sahara Advocates of Change for overseeing this project on behalf of Ghana Outlook.