An American family has drilled a mechanized borehole for residents of Mafi Akukorpko in the Volta region following a Joy News story highlighting how residents drunk from a dirty stream.
Some residents contracted various water-borne diseases as a result of the situation. Students in the community also complained about the long distance they had to cover to get the dirty water. A video report of the residents’ plight went viral on social media, prompting widespread reactions.
Joy News’ Joseph Opoku Gakpo who visited the community reported the residents had to rely on water that is unclean, brownish, muddy, and as thick as porridge because they had no other choice.
A resident Felicia told Joy News, “We drink the water, bath with it, cook with it, and wash with it. We do not have any other water source around here."
When the story first broke, a lot of interventions followed. The district assembly distributed sachet water to the community and an association donated a water storage tank to them.
Related: Akukorkpo residents get sachet water, Polytank
There were struggles to get a borehole dug for the residents because of the poor nature of the roads leading to the community.
Now, water is flowing. Jessica Jaffe from Boston in the USA saw the video after it went viral and was moved to help.
“I was really passionate about helping stop the spread of infectious diseases in Ghana in particular and when I heard about it in the news, I thought this was the easiest way to help,” she said.
Jessica and her family members contributed money to construct a mechanized borehole for the community, working through the Amazing Grace Foundation.
“When I saw the video, I was disturbed by it. And I was talking to Jessica over the weeks and I sent her the video. And right away she said I want to adopt this project and I want to build a borehole project,” Dr. Gloria Nimo who runs the Amazing Grace Foundation told Joy news at the ceremony.
“And so Jessica Jaffe, and her sister Emily Jaffe, as well as their brother Zach Jaffe, put their resources together, supported by the entire family and they came and they did the borehole,” Dr. Nimo added.
Felicia who was featured in the earlier story says residents are happy they will no longer suffer from diseases through the consumption of contaminated water.
“With this water, we are getting out of challenges with diarrheal diseases,” she told Opoku Gakpo in an interview.
MP for Central Tongu Alexander Hottordze says the area needs more such interventions.
“This water problem is not peculiar to Mafi Akuorkpo. In our area, it’s normal. So I am grateful our people have gotten very good water,” he said.
Now in Mafi Akukorkpo, clean water is flowing. Much to the delight of residents with the residents who are commending Joy News for helping them.
“If we wake up today, and the people of Mafi Akukokpo are enjoying potable water, then it tells you the role of the Multimedia Group and the Media in development cannot be over-emphasised.
“Multimedia Group has proven ones again why it continues to be a household name in Ghana and beyond when it comes to Media vibrancy and accuracy,’ the Assemblyman Julius Karl Fieve said in a speech read on his behalf.
He says the earlier story transformed the status of the town. “Within two weeks, over 30 organizations and individuals rushed to Mafi Akukokpo. Government Officials visited Mafi Akukokpo the first time since 1957. Mafi Akukokpo has become a global name.
“Today, Mafi Akukokpo has gotten borehole drilled for them. We can only rejoice and thank Multi Media Group and the Foundation for this fit,” he said.
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