The Dzebetato Community in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region near Sogakope, over the past 20 years, endured a lack of clean water, forcing residents to depend on a nearby stream also used by animals for drinking and other domestic activities.

The community, which has about 500 residents, struggle to access potable water as supplies from the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) reportedly reach them only once every two weeks and sometimes once a month.

The situation has compelled women to walk about two miles to fetch water from the stream, while schoolchildren sometimes miss school because they lack clean water to bathe before leaving home.

Assembly Member for the area, Peter Newton Doe, said the prolonged water shortage has exposed residents to unhealthy conditions, including skin diseases, as they continue to rely on unsafe water sources for their daily needs.

The situation has, however, received some relief following the provision of a 10,000-litre water storage facility sponsored by Lawyer Edudzi Tameklo, Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), through Community Focus Foundation Ghana (CFF Ghana).

The facility, commissioned on Saturday, October 17, 2026, comprises two polytanks with a combined capacity of 10,000 litres and supporting infrastructure to enable residents to store water whenever the Ghana Water Company supplies the community.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Executive Director of CFF-Ghana, Mr. Richard Kasu, said the intervention followed a publication highlighting the community's dependence on a stream shared with animals.

He said the report prompted the Foundation to reach out to individuals and institutions for assistance, leading to the involvement of Mr Tameklo.

“Lawyer Edudzi Tameklo came to the rescue. He said he couldn't sit unconcerned when a community like Dzebetato was struggling with water,” Mr Kasu said.

He explained that the facility was designed to help residents store water during periods of supply to ensure they had access to it for longer periods.

Richard Kasu urged residents to take ownership of the facility and ensure its proper maintenance to prolong its lifespan.

He also called on community leaders to establish a water management committee to oversee the facility's operations, manage the sale of water where appropriate and save funds for maintenance and future improvements.

According to him, effective management could enable the community to extend similar interventions to neighbouring settlements facing water shortages.

Kasu further appealed to the government, corporate Ghana and individuals to partner with non-governmental organisations to improve access to basic services in underserved communities.

He said communities cannot achieve sustainable development without access to essential resources such as water.

Assembly Member Peter Newton Doe expressed gratitude to Tameklo and CFF-Ghana, describing the facility as a significant intervention that would help address the community's longstanding water challenges.

He said the availability of stored water would improve access for households and school children, particularly for drinking, bathing and cooking.

Doe pledged the community's commitment to maintaining the facility to ensure it continued to serve residents well.

The community's Zikputor, Togbui Stephen Worlakatey, also welcomed the intervention, describing it as a major relief after years of water-related difficulties.

He, however, appealed for additional support to complete the community's clinic and provide streetlights to improve access to healthcare and security.

According to him, the absence of adequate street lighting contributes to criminal activities in the area, particularly theft and burglary.

CFF-Ghana reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Dzebetato and other communities through interventions in water, education, health and community empowerment.