Water Scarcity Plagues Ghanaian Communities Hosting Burkinabe Asylum Seekers

In the Upper East Region of Ghana, border communities grappling with the influx of asylum seekers from Burkina Faso face a significant challenge - access to clean water for daily necessities. Over the past two years, hundreds of Burkinabe asylum seekers, alongside local residents, have struggled with inadequate water supply, intensifying competition for available water sources.

To address this pressing issue, three border communities, namely Fatega and Kare in the Bawku West District, and Kugri in the Garu District, have received a lifeline in the form of solar-powered mechanized boreholes valued at GH¢440,000. Each borehole is equipped with an overhead tank and extended water points, aiming to alleviate the water scarcity affecting both asylum seekers and host communities.

The initiative, spearheaded by Changing Lives in Innovative Partnerships (CLIP) in collaboration with Acting For Life (AFL), was made possible through funding from the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) of the United Kingdom High Commission. This project, part of the Supporting Agropastoralism to reinforce Social Cohesion in the cross-border territories of Ghana and Burkina Faso (SAPSOC 3), marks a crucial step towards addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by these communities.

Lukman Yussif, Director of CLIP, highlighted the compounded problems arising from the presence of asylum seekers, emphasizing the strain on local resources such as health facilities and food scarcity. He underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in mitigating these challenges, expressing gratitude to the UK High Commission for their support.

Alhaji Issah Salifu, Board Chairman of CLIP, stressed the organization's commitment to addressing additional livelihood needs expressed by asylum seekers, urging host communities to embrace them on humanitarian grounds to foster bilateral relations between Ghana and Burkina Faso.

James Agaogo, Assembly member for the Sapeilga Electoral Area, reassured the community's willingness to accommodate asylum seekers, emphasizing the importance of regular maintenance of the newly installed infrastructure.

Daniel Anania Atampoba, District Chief Executive for Bawku West, lauded the intervention as timely, acknowledging the critical role of access to water in sustaining household and economic activities within the communities.

As these initiatives take root, hopes are high for improved living conditions and strengthened social cohesion among communities grappling with the challenges of hosting asylum seekers amidst water scarcity.