Thirst in the Heartland: Saltpond Communities Battle 3-Month Water Crisis as Local Hero Steps In
For over three grueling months, residents of Kranch Krom and Zongo in Saltpond, located in Ghana’s Central Region, have endured a crippling water crisis that has turned everyday life into a daily struggle for survival.
With taps running dry, residents have been forced to make hard choices: purchase water at exorbitant prices—up to GHC 50 per gallon—from nearby communities, or wake up before dawn to fetch water from unreliable wells.
For many, especially women, children, and students, the search for water has become a time-consuming burden affecting their health, productivity, and education.
“We’ve been buying water like it’s gold,” one resident lamented. “It’s not sustainable, and it’s not safe.”
A Beacon of Hope: Mr. Alhasan (Alaska) Steps Up
Amid growing desperation, Mr. Issah Alhasan, popularly known as Alaska, the assembly member for Kranch Krom, has become a symbol of hope for the community.
With personal initiative and the support of friends abroad, Hon. Alhasan has drilled and commissioned two boreholes, providing free access to clean water for household use.
The commissioning ceremony, attended by community members and local leaders, was filled with gratitude and hope.
Among the attendees was the Chief Imam, Shake Asarebutu, who praised Hon. Alhasan’s selfless intervention.
“Water is life, and Hon. Alaska has brought life back to Kranch Krom and Zongo,” said the Chief Imam.
A Call for Expansion
Despite the progress, the water situation in Mfantseman municipality remains fragile.
The Chief Imam, along with other residents, has called on Mr. Alhasan to extend the borehole project to surrounding communities, especially given the precedent set during Ramadan, when MP Dr. Ebenezer Prince Kojo Arhine intervened by supplying water for fasting households.
The Bigger Picture
Ghana’s water crisis echoes a global struggle—over 703 million people worldwide lack access to clean drinking water.
Locally, the situation in Mfantseman reflects a larger infrastructural gap where women and girls are disproportionately affected, often walking long distances to access water, affecting their education and safety.
A Promise to Do More
Hon. Alhasan, in his remarks, acknowledged the ongoing challenges and pledged to drill a third borehole to serve the capital town of Mfantseman, ensuring more residents gain access to safe, clean water.
“This is just the beginning. My aim is to make sure no child misses school because they had to fetch water, and no household pays a fortune just to survive,” he stated.
A Community United, But Challenges Remain
The water crisis in Saltpond is far from over, but through community leadership and collaboration, real change is underway.
Mr. Alhasan’s intervention proves that local leadership can make a big difference, even in the face of systemic challenges.
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