Asikuma: The Safe Water Network (SWN) has commissioned the Asikuma Home Water Station, a project worth over $800,000, to provide clean and safe water to the community members. This new facility aims to supply reliable safe water to over 3,000 residents, including more than 400 households that will benefit from direct piped connections equipped with Mobile-Money enabled prepaid meters.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Charles Nimako, the Country Director of SWN, highlighted that these households are furnished with electronic prepaid meters. By using a designated shortcode, residents can purchase water directly from their mobile money wallets. He emphasized that the revenues collected within the community are intended to cover operational costs such as staff wages, electricity, chlorination, and maintenance. Additionally, funds are reserved for repairs, ensuring the sustainability of the operations, a model that has been in place for over 15 years.
Mr. Nimako also mentioned that quarterly financial reports would be prepared and shared with the community through a newly formed water board, ensuring transparency by detailing revenues, expenditures, and surpluses. The water for this project is sourced from the Volta Lake, necessitating the installation of a 5km underground HDP pipeline across farms and roads. The project is a testament to the power of persistence, collaboration, and community partnership.
The SWN has launched and operates 112 water stations across more than 150 communities, reaching over 500,000 people. Nearly 15,000 customers benefit from direct piped connections with mobile-money enabled prepaid meters, including schools, healthcare facilities, and small businesses. Mr. Nimako remarked that the vision is for healthy, thriving communities, each having its own safe water source, managed sustainably and owned by the people it serves. This vision requires partnerships with the government, traditional leaders, development partners, and most importantly, community members.
Mr. Godwin Bobolee, the District Chief Executive of Asuogyaman District Assembly, urged community members to use the water responsibly, acknowledging the significant resources invested in treating and delivering safe water to their homes through the benevolence of SWN. He stressed that the government alone could not meet this need, and with SWN's support, it is crucial not to take this service for granted. He assured that they would continue to partner with SWN to address emerging issues and ensure the expansion of the facility to other parts of the district. This year alone, the Assembly plans to construct a minimum of 15 mechanized boreholes and water projects in selected second-cycle institutions, Akwamufie, and some selected communities.
Mr. Kurt Soderlund, Founding CEO of SWN, called for a lasting partnership between SWN and the residents of Asikuma. He expressed his aspirations for the community to care for the water source, Lake Volta, and for the water to remain available and affordable to the community. He also wished for sufficient funds from water sales to ensure continued maintenance and operations. His ultimate wish is for everyone in Asikuma to drink safe water, avoid diseases, and for children to grow up healthy and happy with access to safe water.
