Desperation in Kpalime Dugah: Residents Dig for Water as Basic Infrastructure Fails

In the heart of the Volta Region’s South Dayi District, the people of Kpalime Dugah are facing a dire humanitarian situation.

With no access to potable water and deplorable road conditions isolating them further, residents are left to fend for themselves, digging through dry streambeds to find muddy water for survival.

The community, known for its serene environment and rich cultural heritage, has been crippled by decades of neglect. Residents say they have made countless appeals to local and national authorities, all of which have gone unanswered.

For many in Kpalime Dugah, access to safe drinking water is a luxury. When the rains stop, so does their water supply. In desperation, some residents dig into the beds of dried-up streams to access underground water—often contaminated and unfit for consumption.

“This is not just a water issue; it’s a health crisis,” said a concerned resident. “People are falling sick, but what choice do we have? Clean water is too far and too expensive.”

A single trip to fetch safe water from nearby towns such as Anum or Boso can cost up to GH¢30—an amount many cannot afford. Meanwhile, the lack of pipe-borne water in the community has persisted for years, leaving entire households at risk of waterborne diseases.

The poor state of roads only worsens the community’s isolation. The route from Osibin to Kpalime Dugah and onwards to Dzemeni has become nearly impassable, with potholes and eroded surfaces making travel treacherous. Farmers in the area say the condition of the roads is driving them into poverty, as they cannot transport their produce to markets.

Former Assembly Member, Rev. J.P. Ofori, summed up the mood of frustration:

“We have cried out for years. Governments come and go, and still nothing changes. The roads are bad, there is no water, and our people continue to suffer.”

He added that women often stay up late into the night searching for water, while schoolchildren struggle to arrive at school on time due to transportation delays caused by the roads.

The government’s promises have so far failed to translate into tangible action, leaving the community to rely on hope and resilience. But for many, time is running out.

Public health experts warn that unless urgent intervention is taken to address both the water crisis and road infrastructure, the situation in Kpalime Dugah could escalate into a full-blown humanitarian emergency.