Breaking Ground, Completing Phase 1

I’m excited to share successful development from the ongoing project in Wurapong in the Offinso area of the Ashanti Region, Ghana. After visiting the town, engaging with the community, planning and surveying the land, we have finally broken ground. Now the Hive borehole has moved from drilling to mechanisation and the system is now pumping vlean water. Initial testing indicates that it is safe to drink. For families who have faced water challenges for years, this is a very good news.

Prior to this project, the residents in Wurapong were reliant on a river and other unsafe water sources for their daily needs. Residents were subjected to long treks to fetch water, often arriving home exhausted. There was no doubt that the need for an adequate and safe water source was a reality, felt keenly throughout the community.

The project as always will go through three main phases. Phase 1 is site survey and drilling. This is where the engineers complete a technical survey to determine a site for the best sustainable water source, followed up with the drilling. Phase 2 is mechanisation. During Phase 2 we installed the pumping system and created community storage systems for easy access.

With this successfully completed, clean water was flowing, and tests confirm it is safe to drink. Phase 3 is the public launch and handover. We are now finished with Phases 1 and 2 which indeed a good news. During the drilling and installation stage, community members came to the site to witness the work. The mood was calm, yet hopeful. There were quiet smiles, and simple remarks of relief heard across the site.

For some community members seeing the water rise and flow from the ground was the only signal that the battle over basic water needs could soon come to an end. It was not huge celebration as we see during the launch but it was a steady confidence that very soon clean-water-from-the-tap is no longer a luxury but a right.

The final stage Phase 3 is the public launch and handover, which will formally open the borehole for normal public use, and mark the beginning of community management of the system. It will include public awareness education on safe water use, and a few simple maintenance practices to ensure the system longevity.

This is important for the community as we always want the project to last for a long time. We can already witness the benefits. Parents feel confident knowing that their children can drink clean water. Students will now spend more time in school, than taking time out of their day walking for their families to fetch water.

Farmers and traders can plan their working day with less worry, because a reliable and safe water source is nearby. Clean water is supporting health, sanitation, learning, and dignity all at once! We will continue to update as we move toward the Phase 2. For now, Wurapong has a working borehole, mechanised and pumping water that is safe to drink. This is a practical solution to a very long-standing challenge, and a positive step toward a healthier community. Thanks to Hive and to everyone.