Access to clean drinking water is essential for maintaining good health and well-being. However, in some parts of Ghana, obtaining clean drinking water is a constant struggle. One such region is the Kumbugu district in the Northern Region of Ghana, where most people rely heavily on clay water, a highly polluted source of water, as their source of drinking water.
The Kumbugu district, located in the Northern Region of Ghana, has a population of over 100,000 people. The district is predominantly rural, with the majority of the population engaged in subsistence farming and other forms of agriculture. Unfortunately, the district faces significant challenges when it comes to accessing clean drinking water.
The only source of drinking water available for many people in the Kumbugu district is clay water.
Clay water is obtained by digging shallow wells or using boreholes to access water trapped in clay deposits. However, the clay water in the district is highly polluted, containing high levels of iron, manganese, and other heavy metals. The water is also contaminated with harmful bacteria and viruses that can cause waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery.
The side effects of drinking polluted water are significant and can have long-lasting effects on the health of most of the people in the Kumbugu district. Heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and arsenic can accumulate in the body over time, leading to serious health problems such as organ damage, neurological disorders, and cancer.
The presence of harmful bacteria and viruses in the clay water also puts most of the people of the Kumbugu district at risk of contracting waterborne diseases. These diseases can cause severe dehydration, diarrhoea, vomiting, and even death, especially in young children and the elderly.
The people of the Kumbugu district are aware of the dangers of drinking clay water, but they have no other option. They are forced to drink the polluted water, cook with it, and use it for other domestic purposes. The lack of access to clean drinking water is a significant challenge, and it hampers the development of the district.
The situation in the Kumbugu district is dire, and urgent action is needed to address the water crisis. The government of Ghana, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders are being called upon to help find a lasting solution to the problem in this district.
The people of the Kumbugu district as well need more education on the dangers of drinking polluted water and the importance of proper sanitation and hygiene. This will help reduce the spread of waterborne diseases and improve the overall health of the people.
