Saha Global, a non-governmental organisation focused on clean water access, has launched a dugout expansion project in Yakura in the North-East Gonja District to address persistent water shortages.

Funded by the Shockwave Foundation, the project aims to ensure sustainable water access for multiple communities affected by seasonal droughts.

At the sod-cutting ceremony, Savannah Regional Minister, Salisu Be-Awuribe, emphasised the project’s significance: "We are aware that the current dugout does not have sufficient capacity to sustain residents throughout the dry season. This expansion will not only deepen and widen the dugout but also reinforce its embankments to improve access during the rainy season.”

He commended Saha Global for its commitment, noting, “While this initiative is not government-led, it has received our full support because access to clean water remains a critical need.”

Francis Blessing Gbandan, Saha Global’s Government and Stakeholder Relations Manager highlighted the urgency of the intervention.

“The existing dugout typically dries up between January and June, forcing residents to walk approximately 45 minutes to neighboring communities such as Datoyili to purchase water,” he explained.

“This expansion is designed to ensure a year-round supply of clean and sufficient water for the people.”

Beyond infrastructure, Saha Global equips local women with the skills to treat surface water using its Simple Surface Water Treatment System, ensuring that as long as the dugout retains water, residents have access to a safe drinking source.

“By training women to operate and manage these water treatment centers, Saha Global is not only improving public health but also fostering local leadership in water resource management,” Gbandan added.

North-East Gonja District Coordinating Director Issah Imoro acknowledged the government’s challenges in providing pipe-borne water to dispersed communities, stressing the need for external support.

“Ensuring access to clean water remains a top priority for the government. However, given the geographical dispersion of our communities, many are too far apart to be connected to a single water supply system. This is why we continue to rely on boreholes and dugouts,” he noted.

Imoro expressed appreciation for Saha Global’s intervention, reiterating, “Water provision is primarily the responsibility of the central government, but when organizations like Saha Global step in to support these efforts, we must ensure they receive the necessary assistance. My office remains open to facilitating and supporting such initiatives,”he added.

This initiative is part of Saha Global’s ongoing mission to provide sustainable clean water solutions to hard-to-reach communities in northern Ghana.