A severe water shortage in the farming community of Asuakwaa, near Chiraa in the Sunyani Municipality, is putting the health and education of over 300 school children and their families at risk, local leaders and residents have warned.
During a stakeholder engagement organized by INNORIGHTS Ghana, a child-focused human rights NGO, women from the community voiced their concerns, highlighting the daily struggles they face accessing clean drinking water. Many residents, including school children, are forced to trek long distances to nearby streams, a situation that frequently disrupts schooling and poses serious health risks.
Nana Serwaa Mua Brayie Atopre, Queen of Asuakwaa, described the situation as a violation of the community’s basic human rights. “Access to potable water is not a luxury — it is a necessity. Denying women and children clean water is denying them dignity,” she stated.
The meeting, which brought together 90 women with support from the Sunyani Youth Development Association and “Me Man Nti,” a civic advocacy platform from Suncity Radio, explored the wider impact of water scarcity on child welfare and gender equity.
Executive Director of INNORIGHTS Ghana, Mr. Peter Boateng, led discussions on child rights, girl-child education, climate change, and protection against abuse. He underscored the importance of protecting girls from sexual exploitation and early pregnancy, calling for community-wide vigilance and parental support.
“We must protect our children’s futures by ensuring their safety, health, and uninterrupted education. That starts with basic necessities like water,” Mr. Boateng noted.
The Asuakwaa community is now appealing to NGOs, government agencies, and philanthropic individuals to assist with sustainable water solutions to ease their growing burden and ensure the well-being of future generations.
