The issue of perennial water shortages in our country is gradually becoming a scare, particularly our inability to take some proactive measures in the era of changing global climatic conditions.
Experts, as indicated by GARDJA earlier, have predicted that the rainfall pattern may be very bad in the months ahead. However unfortunately, most rural communities depend mainly on rain water and other water-bodies for their daily household activities and consumption.
The irony now in our country is that more than 70 percent of water-bodies have been heavily polluted as a result of illegal mining activities. The very few ones appears to be gradually subsiding which makes latest news of low rainfall and subsequently shortage of water from water suppliers a big blow to inhabitants living particularly in rural communities.
Is it the sole responsibilities of the government of the day to provide communities with ‘essential commodity’ such as water? Is the government doing enough in the provision of portal drinking water? And are as a people doing our best to preserve water-bodies and ensuring that are not polluted or encroached on?
The answer to these probing questions can help to a large extent address the issue that has lingered on for quite some time with us as a country.
The only solace we may take is that water shortage is a global issue. But nonetheless do we not as a people have individual responsibility to take to ensure that much as it is a widely seen phenomenon we could bring the uncomfortable situation to a low?
In the current situation, the sad truth is that most of the affected communities are where illegal mining activities are dominant. Such communities in Ashanti include Sonsuaso, Boamadumase, Onaa, Yeboakrom all in Ejisu-juaben Municipal Assembly struggle to get clean water to quench their thirsty.
A section of the rural folks who spoke in an interview with Gardja, call for help to enable them have access to clean water. They intimated that if the situation remains same, it is likely many of them may contract waterborne disease.
They said they depend on pure water for their livelihood, and wondered how long they can continue buying sachet water.
In the Eastern region, Nsawam residents are battling with acute water shortage, forcing many to rely on supply from water tankers.
Though government has done some work, clearly it can be seen that it is not adequate enough to solve the problems associated with water situation.
