Access to safe water is a fundamental human right. However, millions of people worldwide still lack this essential resource. In response to this global challenge, the Future for Africa Water Project has emerged as an outstanding example of how dedicated individuals and organizations can transform communities and improve the quality of countless lives in a region that is in dire need.
Creating sustainable access to clean water for the most vulnerable population remains an issue of great concern here in Ghana. Despite many interventions being made by various national and international stakeholders on Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) issues, it seems there is still a lot more to be done in this regard. Lack of access to water interrupts every facet of community livelihood; people, education, health and economic activities (Future for Afrika water report, 2022; p3).
Women and children suffer the most in this instance because they have the responsibility of getting water for the house and family on daily basis. They usually have to walk some kilometers to get water, which affects their lives daily. Women cannot actively engage in economic activities due to this challenge, and children especially girls, loose track and focus on school, making them dropout eventually.
The initiation of the Future for Africa Water Project came out from rural areas critical situation where access to clean water posed significant challenges. Due to inadequate water supply for many years, numerous health problems arose alongside hindrances to economic development. Recognizing this pressing issue, visionary individuals collaborate with local NGOs like Future for Africa and international donors to create a sustainable solution.
The objectives of the future for Africa Water project are to
- Provide potable drinking water to identified rural communities in the Upper east region of
Ghana. - Improve livelihood of local communities in the northern Ghana.
- Educate rural communities on community water and sanitation issues.
- Improve the attendance and performance of school children in public basic schools.
- Provide technical support in communities on how to manage boreholes.
- Engage rural communities in sustainable ventures that will help them to maintain broken boreholes.
To achieve these objectives the following measures were put in place.
Drilling Boreholes: The boreholes were drilled as they provided reliable underground water sources.
Impact on Health and Well-Being: Future for Africa’s transformative project has had profound impacts on community members health status, since it reduced significantly prevalent illnesses caused by contaminated drinking-water sources, which directly or indirectly affected residents well-being.
Economic Growth: Accessing stable fresh-water sources catalyze agricultural growth in these communities where farming thrives. It increased crop production capacity, supporting both farmers families’ livelihoods, alongside boosting commercial activities related directly or indirectly with agribusinesses. 
Sustainability And Community Ownership: One aspect unique about Future for Africa’s innovative approach towards solving scarcity issues involving freshwater resources is our focus on sustainability through promoting community involvement/ownership, training village residents on maintenance/repair skills while fostering pride/responsibility among stakeholders interested in long-term success prospects even beyond immediate benefits accrued so far.
The impressive achievement demonstrated by Future for Africa’s comprehensive approach towards addressing freshwater scarcity shows what can be accomplished when passionate individuals collaborate with organizations/communities, sharing their vision for change-making positive impact possible. 
With help and support of some passionate individuals, the organization has built seven (7) boreholes for some communities that were in dire need of clean water. Our partnership with ASODH, a French based organization, gave us the opportunity to drill for Gumbaare Balungu and Kpariwaa, two communities in the Bawku west district. They now have access to clean and portable drinking water. In total, we have constructed nine (9) boreholes spread across local communities within the region. Tongo Foe, Soe, Karemenga, Tongo Baahre are some of the communities that have benefited from our water project.We look forward to making access to clean water easier for more communities and their inhabitants.
Accessing fresh water is not only a basic human right, but also a foundational building block necessary for achieving healthy societies globally; therefore, efforts like these undertaken by Future for Africa offers hope for other communities facing similar challenges to see brighter future ahead too!
WRITEUP BY: MAURICIA IDDRISU DEKUMWIN.
