A quiet but powerful transformation has occurred in the heart of Ghana’s Eastern Region. What was once a daily struggle for water in the Akohia community of Asesewa is now a story of relief, progress, and hope, thanks to the Telecel Ghana Foundation’s flagship Employee Volunteering Programme (EVP), Red Hearts.

On March 7, 2025, employees from the Technology team and the CEO’s office officially handed over a newly constructed borehole to the people of Akohia. This initiative, driven by the passion and commitment of Telecel employees, is a lifeline for over 600 residents who have long relied on rain, dug-outs and distant rivers for drinking, cooking, and other daily needs.

Water scarcity, especially during the harmattan season, made life difficult for generations. Now, with clean water flowing at their doorstep, the community can envision a future where young children no longer wake up at dawn to fetch water before school, where families can drink and cook without worry, and where health and hygiene standards significantly improve.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, community leaders expressed deep gratitude for the project.

"Thank you, Telecel, and God bless you," said Emmanuel Nutsui Tepkertey, the community’s Dade Mantse. "We didn’t expect this project in our community, but it will bring great progress. We are happy, and we will always welcome you."

For as long as John Tetteh can remember, water meant a long walk. As a child growing up in Akohia, he would wake up before dawn, trek to the river, fetch water, and haul it back home before school. That was life. It wasn’t easy, but it was normal.

“This project is not just for today, but it will help the young children grow up without suffering as we did, “John shared. During the harmattan, when water is scarce, we will also be able to welcome others from nearby communities.

Rita Agyeiwaa Rockson, Head of Telecel Ghana Foundation, Sustainability and External Communications, stood beside the new mechanized borehole, reflecting on the transformation:

“When I saw what the community used to rely on for water, I knew this project had to happen. This mechanized borehole changes many things in this community. Schoolchildren don’t have to spend their mornings searching for water before class, women now have access to clean portable water for their daily chores, giving them more time for their families and businesses.

However, with great initiatives come great responsibility. Rita stressed the importance of community stewardship in ensuring the borehole remains functional for years to come. “When we hand over a project, it belongs to the people. That means maintaining it, keeping it running, and ensuring it serves generations to come.”

The Red Hearts initiative is an annual initiative that empowers Telecel employees to champion CSR projects that bring real impact to their communities. Through Red Hearts, employees turn their passion for social good into tangible change, whether in education, health, and well-being or digital inclusion.

For the people of Akohia, this mechanized borehole is more than a structure; it is a symbol of what is possible when corporate social responsibility meets community needs. And for Telecel Ghana, it is another milestone in their journey of connecting energies, one project, one heart, and one community at a time.