Otwiso Community Grapples with Severe Water Scarcity, Relies on Sachet Water for Survival

The Otwiso community, nestled in the Yilo Krobo Municipality of the Eastern Region, is currently facing a dire water crisis, leaving its residents in a precarious situation as they struggle to access clean and potable water for their daily needs.

During a recent visit to the area by the Ghana News Agency (GNA), it was evident that the community members, including school children, were grappling with the scarcity of water.

Residents were observed trekking long distances with basins and gallons in search of water from streams and mechanized boreholes.

For many in Otwiso, purchasing sachet water has become a daily necessity, as they cannot afford to store large quantities of water in their homes.

This reliance on sachet water has further compounded the financial burden on households already facing socio-economic challenges.

Speaking to GNA, residents expressed their frustration with the lack of access to potable water, emphasizing how the situation has adversely affected their daily lives and livelihoods.

They called upon local authorities, including the Member of Parliament, the Municipal Assembly, and non-governmental organizations, to intervene and address the pressing water needs of the community.

Gifty Tetteh, a resident, highlighted the lengths to which some residents must go to secure water, including hiring tricycle riders to fetch water from distant sources on a daily basis.

Despite the proximity of the Bukunor Water Works pipeline to the community, residents lamented that they are yet to be connected, leaving approximately 500 residents without a reliable water supply.

Among those affected by the water crisis is Erica, a pupil at the Nkurakan M/A Basic School. She shared the challenges of carrying water containers daily, hindering her ability to focus on her education and adding to her daily responsibilities.

Efforts to reach local authorities, including Member of Parliament Albert Tetteh Nyakotey and Municipal Chief Executive Eric Tetteh, for comment were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.