Kortsrala: Residents of Kortsrala in the Agortime-Ziope District of the Volta Region have appealed to the District Assembly, benevolent organisations, and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to support them with a potable and accessible mechanised water system to improve their living conditions.
According to Ghana News Agency, the appeal was made through their Chief, Torgbui Adzolo Akaba III, during a fact-finding visit to the community's only available water source, known locally as 'Hablu'. Currently, residents depend on the stagnant water source for all domestic activities, including drinking, cooking, and washing-a situation they described as worrying and unhealthy.
Speaking to the agency, Torgbui Adzolo Akaba III explained that residents, particularly women and children, travel more than six kilometres daily to fetch water, a routine that has placed significant physical and emotional strain on the community. He highlighted that schoolchildren are often late to school due to the long distance they have to cover in search of water, which has negatively affected academic performance, especially in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
'The lack of potable and accessible water has become a major setback to education in this community. Children spend valuable learning time fetching water instead of preparing for school,' the Chief noted. Torgbui Adzolo Akaba III, who also oversees neighbouring communities including Dzadobui, Wuga, Adidokpui, Adzorvi, and Nyitawuta, further indicated that the use of the stagnant water source has led to frequent outbreaks of water-related diseases such as diarrhoea, bilharzia, and typhoid among residents.
According to him, the situation poses a serious public health risk, particularly to children and the elderly, and requires urgent intervention to prevent a potential health crisis. He therefore called on the Agortime-Ziope District Assembly, well-meaning Ghanaians, corporate bodies, and benevolent organisations to come to the aid of the community by providing a reliable potable water system.
'Access to clean and safe water is a basic necessity. We are appealing to all stakeholders to support Kortsrala to avert any future catastrophe and improve the quality of life of our people,' Torgbui Adzolo Akaba III added. Residents who spoke to the agency echoed the Chief's concerns and expressed hope that their appeal would receive swift attention to end years of hardship associated with water scarcity in the community.