Mary Amekuzdi, the Queen Mother of Yirepe
From Stream to Safety: How a new water facility is set to improve lives
Published on: 25/11/2024
Yirepe is a cocoa farming settler community in Upper Denkyira East, endemic with skin-related Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). Water has always been a challenge for the residents of Yirepe. The community has long relied on a stream for their water needs.
"An open well was constructed at one point, but it eventually collapsed, compelling us, the residents, to return to the stream. This has been a real challenge, as we travel long distances to fetch water. This stream water is often allowed to settle before straining for use in cooking, drinking, washing, and other daily activities," said Mary Amekuzdi, the Queen Mother of Yirepe.
Unfortunately, the use of this stream water has led to widespread skin reactions that cause itching. Visits to the hospital have confirmed that these reactions are due to the water they consume.
The news about the ANESVAD-funded new water facility brought relief and excitement to Yirepe. The community was overjoyed at the prospect of having access to clean water, as the current unsafe water source is far from ideal. The construction of the new facility has already begun, and the community is delighted to see progress.
The anticipated change is monumental. With the new water facility, the residents of Yirepe will no longer have to rely on the stream. They will have access to clean water, which will greatly benefit the community and help prevent skin diseases.
The people of Yirepe eagerly await the completion of the new water facility, looking forward to a future where clean water is readily available and health issues related to water use are a thing of the past.
In this short video, the Queen Mother of Yirepe community shares her story.
