World Vision Ghana and Interplast Limited have successfully supplied clean drinking water to over 1,500 residents and 800 schoolchildren in Ghana's Ahafo Region. This critical intervention has brought an end to long-standing struggles for safe water access in communities like Kwakuri and Akorsahkrom, located in the Asutifi North District.
The project, dubbed the Ahafo Regional Integrated WASH Programme (ARIWP), was born out of an agreement between World Vision Ghana and Interplast Limited. Interplast provided essential high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes. These pipes were crucial for building and repairing water systems in areas that previously lacked reliable water sources. The partnership ensured that materials arrived on time and offered necessary technical support, making the water extension possible.
This development is part of a broader effort by non-governmental organisations and private companies to tackle infrastructure deficits in Ghana. Reliable access to clean water is a key Sustainable Development Goal and a major factor in public health and economic productivity. Challenges in water provision have historically impacted rural areas significantly, affecting education and livelihoods. For instance, the Ghana Statistical Service has previously highlighted disparities in access to basic services between urban and rural populations.
“We used to wake up at dawn to fetch water from a stream that was not safe,” said Ama Serwaa, a mother of three living in Akorsahkrom. "Now the water is right here in the community. Our children are healthier, and we have more time for our work." Health officials confirm the positive health impacts. "Since the water came, we’ve seen fewer cases of diarrhoea among children," stated Kofi Mensah, a community health volunteer. Adwoa Nyarko, a teacher at a beneficiary school, added, "Pupils no longer leave school to search for water. Attendance has improved, and hygiene practices are much better."
The success of this project offers a model for public-private collaboration in addressing critical development needs in Ghana. Both World Vision Ghana and Interplast have expressed their commitment to continuing such partnerships to improve living standards and build more resilient communities. Future efforts will likely focus on expanding similar water and sanitation projects to other underserved regions, potentially drawing on lessons learned from the ARIWP. District officials have commended the initiative, noting its positive effects on community well-being and productivity.