An Assembly Member for the Sheaga Electoral Area in the Talensi District, Hon. Augustine Mmi-Oni Guure, has raised serious concerns over the worsening water crisis affecting several communities in the area, calling on non-governmental organizations and mining companies operating within the district to urgently intervene.
Speaking on BlueWaves Breakfast Show on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, Hon. Guure lamented the harsh living conditions residents continue to endure in their search for water, revealing that some community members are forced to share water sources with animals for domestic use.
The Assembly Member made the remarks after sharing a video on Facebook showing residents and livestock drinking from the same water source, a situation he described as worrying and unacceptable considering the mineral wealth within the district.
According to Hon. Guure, the water crisis in the Sheaga Electoral Area has persisted for many years despite the presence of natural resources and mining activities in the district. He noted that several existing boreholes in the area have broken down over time, while the growing population continues to place pressure on the few functional water facilities available.
“When I came into office, most sections of the electoral area were already facing serious water challenges. Some of the communities have old boreholes that have broken down, while others have to travel long distances before they can access water,” he explained.
He further disclosed that in some communities, residents rely on unsafe water sources shared with animals for cooking, washing, and drinking, a situation he believes poses major health risks to the people.
“You could see from the video that people are sharing water with animals for domestic purposes. Looking at the natural resources we have in this district, it is unfortunate that our people are still struggling to access clean drinking water,” he stated.
Hon. Guure indicated that some of the affected communities have depended on old wells constructed decades ago, dating back to the early 1990s and 2000s, with little improvement in water infrastructure over the years. He stressed that many of these communities are located around clusters of schools in Sheaga, affecting not only households but also school children.
The Assembly Member, however, commended the Talensi District Assembly for efforts made so far to provide boreholes to some communities within the electoral area. Despite these interventions, he maintained that the measures have not fully addressed the water challenges confronting residents.
He therefore appealed to NGOs, philanthropists, and corporate bodies, particularly mining companies operating in the district, to strengthen their corporate social responsibility initiatives by investing in sustainable water projects for deprived communities.
Hon. Guure questioned why communities situated in a mining district endowed with vast natural resources should still be battling with access to clean water, emphasizing the urgent need for collaborative action to improve the living conditions of the people.
The water crisis in parts of the Upper East Region continues to remain a major developmental challenge, especially during the dry season when several water sources dry up, leaving residents vulnerable to waterborne diseases and other health complications.
Source: BlueWaves Radio/ Maurice Duncan/ Bolgatanga/Talensi
