Kolkpara community decries ongoing water crisis, appeals for urgent intervention

Residents of Kolkpara in the Sing Electoral Area of the Wa Municipality are raising alarm over persistent water access challenges that continue to affect their health, livelihoods, and daily activities.

The community, relies on a single borehole which residents say is increasingly unable to meet their needs. Speaking to Info Radio, community members expressed deep concern over the strain placed on the sole water source and the lack of government intervention over the years.

Women, who are primarily responsible for household water collection, described the hardship they face daily.

"We need more water facilities to meet our needs," a resident urged. “The borehole is not enough for all of us, and when it breaks down, we have no choice but to fetch water from unsafe streams and ponds.”

Madam Paulina Sunkariba, a community member, lamented the amount of time lost to fetching water, saying it significantly affects productivity, especially in agriculture. “The time spent at the well directly impacts our ability to farm efficiently,” she said.

The crisis has been ongoing for decades, according to residents. Mr. Dare, another resident of Kolkpara, revealed that for over 30 years, the community has seen no meaningful government initiative to resolve the issue.

“We feel forgotten. No projects have been initiated to improve our water situation,” he added.

Although the community has attempted to drill its own borehole, residents say the effort has done little to ease the burden due to frequent breakdowns and the growing demand for water.

The residents of Kolkpara are now calling on the Wa Municipal Assembly and nongovernmental organizations to come to their aid by drilling a borehole for them.