“Water is life,” Margaret Ofori said with so much joy after she took the first sip of water from the borehole commissioned in her town, Ayikuma, which straddles on the border of the Eastern Region and Greater Accra. This borehole marks the fiftieth mechanised borehole donated by the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity in partnership with TEAM CSR Ghana. Access to clean water is a challenge in many communities across the country and they are on a mission to change that.
Jonathan Akuamoah, CEO/Founder of TEAM CSR Ghana said, “When the Omega Psi Phi came here during the great initiative of the Year of Return, they didn’t just want to leave as tourists, they wanted to make sure that they make an impact in the community.” Their initial goal was to commission 24 mechanised boreholes in Ghana. Their first was in 2019 at the Akropong School for the Blind and the impact was immediately felt by the students and the surrounding community. Akuamoah said they want to help needy communities to have access to safe drinking water across the country.
The Chief of Dodowa, Okukrubuor Nene Tei Kwesi Agyemang V, was in attendance and incredibly happy that the community will have one of its major problems solved with this borehole. “As we all know, water is life,” said Okukrubuor Nene Tei Kwesi Agyemang V, “And so where there is no water, it is difficult for people to settle…bringing this borehole into this community, I believe it’s going to go a long way to help.”
Akwasi Ababio, Director of Diaspora Affairs, Office of the President, has had many interactions with people in the diaspora community and he was thrilled to see that the men of Omega Psi Phi have come together to do something positive for Ghana. “One of the pillars of ‘Beyond the Return’ is that we should give back to the community. The diaspora who were invited here during the Year of Return have been implored to come home and do things to help building our economies, our communities and life in general,” said Ababio. “It’s in response to that, that the Omega Psi Phi has gone out of their way to do the benevolent work that they’ve been doing.”
Members of the community gathered with excitement after the official ribbon-cutting ceremony and Akuamoah opened the taps to see plenty of water flowing. Residents were overjoyed. “I’m happy because water is life,” said Ofori. She took the first sip of water and was relieved to know they now have easier access to water for daily living. She thanked the Chief and everyone who contributed to them having this borehole for the community.
The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity in partnership with TEAM CSR Ghana, plans to continue bringing access to clean water to more communities in Ghana. “We hope to do 100 boreholes,” said Akuamoah. He was presented with a plaque by the chief as a token of thanks. “I am donating this plaque to show our appreciation for the wonderful job you have done for us,” he said, “…And we wish that this not be the last, but let water go to the areas of Ghana where water is needed.”
For information on how you can support them in their continued service to donate boreholes across the country, contact TEAM CSR Ghana through their website, www.teamcsrghana.org.
By: Ivy Prosper