Accra: Nearly six in 10 low-income households in some peri-urban communities in Accra are experiencing varying levels of water insecurity, according to a recent study. The research highlights the challenges faced by these communities due to irregular piped water supply and rising costs, which have forced many to rely on sachet water as their primary source of drinking water.
According to Ghana News Agency, the study was conducted by researchers from the University of Ghana and the University of North Carolina. It found that approximately 60 per cent of households in peri-urban areas such as Oyarifa, Teiman, Kweiman, and Danfa in the Ga East Municipality are facing water insecurity ranging from low to severe levels. The study, titled 'Factors Influencing Water and Sweet Beverage Purchasing Decisions and Behaviours Among Low-Income Households in Four Peri-Urban Communities in Accra,' analyzed the purchasing patterns of 43 household primary shoppers and 36 focus group participants.
Sachet water, commonly referred to as 'pure water,' emerged as the dominant source of drinking water, with about 77 per cent of households relying on it exclusively. More than half of these households purchase at least three bags of sachet water weekly, spending over GHS50 to meet their drinking water needs. The study identified health and safety considerations as the primary factors influencing water choices, with cleanliness, taste, trust in vendors, and past experiences being crucial determinants in selecting sachet water brands.
Some participants reported avoiding unfamiliar brands due to previous negative experiences such as stomach discomfort or illnesses linked to unsafe water. While bottled water is perceived as cleaner and of higher quality, its cost remains prohibitive for regular household use.
The study also addressed Ghana's beverage taxation policy, which applies the same tax rate to bottled water and sugar-sweetened beverages. The researchers warned that this policy might inadvertently limit access to healthier drinking options by raising the cost of bottled water along with sugary drinks. They recommended that strategies to reduce sugar-sweetened beverage consumption through taxation should be paired with initiatives to enhance access to safe and affordable drinking water.
To achieve the public health goals of the beverage taxation policy and reduce health disparities among vulnerable populations, the study emphasized the need for increased investment in potable water infrastructure. It suggested utilizing revenue from sweetened beverage taxes to improve water services in underserved communities. The research was spearheaded by Dr. Christopher Delali Amegah, Dr. Gloria Adobea Odei Obeng-Amoako, and Prof. Seth Adu-Afarwuah from the Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Ghana; Prof. Monica Lambon-Quayefio of the School of Economics, University of Ghana; and Prof. Shu Wen Ng from the University of North Carolina, United States.