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Since 2008, we have worked with communities in Ghana and India to develop locally owned and managed Safe Water Stations.
Transforming Lives with Water
With over 23 million people lacking access to safe water, the need in Ghana is significant. We work with Ghana’s government at all levels and collaborate with both the public and private sectors to overcome the country’s water problems. With an office in Accra, Safe Water Network oversees Safe Water Stations in peri-urban areas near the capital, as well as in the Ahafo, Ashanti, Volta, and Western Regions.
The Need
Despite an investment of roughly a half a billion US dollars in infrastructure development over the past 20 years from the government and its partners, many people in Ghana still lack affordable access to safe water. Although progress has been made, the majority of rural water systems fail prematurely: current estimates indicate that 29% of all rural and peri-urban hand pumps are broken, and an additional 49% are partially functioning.
The Challenges
Several factors contribute to the lack of safe water access in Ghana. Most people rely on surface water sources, which frequently contain life-threatening parasites and high microbial content. In some regions of the country, the water has significant water discoloration and contains dangerous minerals. During the dry season, many areas suffer from water scarcity.
Communities, particularly in rural areas, also lack basic training and capacity to maintain wells, hand pumps and other systems that well-intentioned organizations have provided. Lack of proper sanitation and hygiene frequently compounds contamination of existing water sources.
Our Progress in Ghana
We will provide more people with access to safe water while structuring our growth in ways that demonstrates the potential for success at scale. Through monitoring, evaluation and continual refinement of our model, we will document our research to facilitate broad-scale replication of our model by other organizations.
2009
We implemented our first of five water stations with World Health International.
2011
We made a series of investments in our first five water stations to improve their performance and increase revenue including remote kiosks, home delivery and additional storage capacity.
2013
In February, we released the country's first survey of the role decentralized water systems serve, and found market-based approaches can play a significant role the population's safe water access. Results were presented at our fourth 'Beyond the Pipe' Forum, held in Accra in March, attended by over 150 leaders in Ghana's water sector.
2013
We launched several modular slow sand filtration sites in the Volta Region including the villages of Akateng and Aveme. Up to 500,000 people in the area could benefit from this cost-effective and proven approach to providing affordable water.
2014
Over the next three years we intend to roll-out another 10 systems reaching an additional 50,000 people in the Volta Region.
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Expansions in Ghana
Building on the success of our existing Safe Water Stations, we are now expanding in the Western Region to provide safe drinking water in multiple new communities.
A coastal region where local water sources are compromised by high salinity.
A region lacking safe water access alongside the world’s largest reservoir.
A Team of Committed Experts
Our Ghana-based team is focused on achieving local sustainability so that communities can successfully own and operate their Safe Water Stations. We bring technical, financial, public health and development expertise to the challenges facing the people of Ghana. All of us are passionate and committed to realizing the potential of safe water to improve health and economic well being.
- Program Manager, Market Development and Partnerships
Safe Water Network
Our Partners in Ghana
The complexity of the global water crisis requires a sustained commitment from business, government, public health, academia and the nonprofit community. We are advancing innovative solutions through an open, collaborative approach that mobilizes global experts, thought leaders, field practitioners and funders.
Insights and Engagement in Ghana
We build upon the sector’s existing knowledge base and from our field work for continuous improvement. We also analyze the long-term impact of safe water on health and livelihoods and foster best practice and shared learning.
Recent Resources
Latest News
September 1, 2021
June 14, 2021
September 18, 2020
