Ghana

PDF version available here

Twelve year-old Napoga Gurigo l ives in the village of Tambuoog ( on map) in the northeast region of Ghana. Napoga’s nearest supply of water is a muddy hole found a half kilometer from the village. Animals and villagers use it, alike. Each morning, Napoga leaves home at half past five to begin the lengthy process of collecting water.

To fill the eight buckets that her family needs takes Napoga at least six hours. Napoga must slowly scoop it out the water from the hole into a gourd. Then, she must wait for more water to seep through and for the mud to clear before she can fill the gourd again.

The small size of the hole means that only one person can collect water at a time. Napoga often has to wait for her turn. In addition, Napoga’s family expects her to help with the household chores and also work in the fields. Napoga lacks any time to go to school or to chat and play with her friends.

Like its neighbor to the east, Togo, Ghana sits just a few degrees north of the equator in western Africa. Several rivers and streams intersect a belt of rainforest and a low, sandy coastline (the eastern portion of which is dry). Northern Ghana is made up of savanna, low bush, and grassy plains and is generally hot and dry. Lake Volta extends through portions of eastern Ghana.

Tambuoong villagers use the water collected from the hole that Napoga used for cooking and drinking, often without boiling it first. The villagers use any leftover water and/or waste water for washing. In a neighboring village Otroka, citizens are learning about good hygiene practices. Health volunteers teach villagers learn about the dangers of unsafe water and sanitation. They discuss many problems related to their available water including waste water disposal and diseases such as guinea worm.