Philanthropist provides GH¢13,000 mechanised borehole for Bonkrom

The woes of nearly 1,000 residents of Bonkrom in the Kwahu Afram Plains South District in accessing water would end in about two weeks.

This is because philanthropist and Alternative Medicine Practitioner, Gyenyamedi Osafo, has provided a mechanised borehole at the cost of GH¢13,000 to the community.

The more than 100 feet borehole was drilled over the weekend, and all installations are expected to be completed in two weeks, together with the mounting of a tank to store water.

The sponsor of the project, Gyenyamedi Osafo, speaking about the project with The Ghana Report, said, after being informed of the plight of the people, he thought it wise to use his network to support them.

He said, he, therefore, mobilised the funds for the project to be completed in the shortest time possible to alleviate the plight of the people.

According to Mr Osafo, he received donations from friends in Germany, GEKO e.v, (a non-profit association for development aid and cooperation), and his personal contribution.

He believes“water is very essential to the livelihood of the people”.

“I had to do my best possible to ensure that the people have access to a sustainable system of water,” he added.

He had earlier donated 15 office chairs and a big ‘Ɔware’ (a traditional pit and pebble game device) to chiefs and people in the community.

The residents of the farming community, and potentially rich tourism community due to the number of mountains in the area, complained to The Ghana Report that, for many years, access to water remained a bane for them.

The borehole, when completed, would provide about 10,000 litres of water daily.

This, the residents say, would end the age-long perennial shortage of water especially in the dry season, and enhance their social life.

“I have been living here (Bonkrom) for 17 years now, and we always find it difficult to get water for washing, cooking and other chores. It is even worse during the dry season.

“Sometimes, our children go to school late because they have to go in search of water from far places. It also affects our farming, because we do not do much on the farms. By the time we get to the farm we are already tired, because of the long distance we walk to get water,” 50-year-old, Theresa Acheampong, said.

A nurse, who has been living in the community for seven years, Yunbow Michael Jordan also complained about the water situation.

“Life was really difficult for us because we did not have access to water, especially when it gets to the dry season. This will be a great relief to us, and we are grateful to Mr Osafo,” he said.

Courage Tetteh, a Borehole Engineer with the Ghana Borehole Engineers and Civil Works, has assured them that they would have non-stop access to water.

The Odikro of Bonkrom, Nana Kofi Acheampong I, on behalf of the community, expressed their gratitude to Mr Osafo for the donation and pledged to ensure that the borehole was maintained for generations.