Republic Bank ends decades-old Pwalugu water crisis with mechanised water system

Residents of Pwalugu in the Talensi District in the Upper East Region have faced a persistent water crisis that has affected nearly every aspect of the community’s life, from health and education to their livelihoods.

The community’s struggle for potable water has been linked to the area’s difficult geological conditions, which make groundwater extraction extremely challenging.

Residents say the soil structure and rocky subsurface terrain have repeatedly frustrated efforts to drill functional boreholes, leaving many projects unsuccessful over the years.

As a result, families have long depended on unsafe and unreliable water sources, including shallow hand-dug wells and distant streams, many of which dry up during the long dry season.

The situation becomes dire between March and April each year, when most temporary water sources dry up completely, forcing residents to walk long distances in search of water.

Women and children bear the greatest burden of the crisis, often spending several hours a day fetching water, a situation that affects school attendance, household productivity, and general well-being.

In many instances, residents are left with no option but to fetch water from dams and ponds shared with livestock, exposing communities to waterborne diseases and serious public health risks. 

Republic Bank intervention

The Managing Director of Republic Bank Ghana, Dr Benjamin Dzoboku, addressing stakeholders at the commissioning ceremony on Monday, May 25, 2026, said the intervention was triggered directly by a documentary by Albert Sore of Joy News, which exposed the severity of the water crisis in Pwalugu.

The new water system

He explained that after watching the report aired on Joy News, the bank immediately mobilised its corporate social responsibility programme, prioritising water and sanitation under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Six.

“We saw the documentary and realised the people of Pwalugu were suffering severely, even sharing water sources with animals.

That compelled us to act,” he said.

Dr Dzoboku said the project began with a sod-cutting ceremony on December 14, 2025, marking the start of what many initially doubted would be successful due to previous failed attempts in the area.

He noted that geological assessments revealed that water could only be accessed beyond 110 metres underground, requiring advanced drilling methods that had not been successfully applied in earlier interventions.

The facility is powered by both electricity and solar energy, ensuring a continuous 24-hour water supply to about 500 to 1,000 people within Pwalugu and surrounding communities.

Dr Dzoboku added that a consultant would remain with the community for one year to support maintenance and ensure sustainability before handing over full management to local structures.

Partnership    

The District Chief Executive for Talensi, John Millim Nabwomya, described the project as a major breakthrough in addressing one of the district’s most long-standing developmental challenges.

He said the project had transformed from a promise into a fully functional facility, bringing relief to a community that had endured decades of water hardship.

“Today, what was once hope has become reality.

This intervention marks a significant step forward for the Pwalugu area,” he stated.

He commended Republic Bank for demonstrating strong corporate citizenship and delivering the project with professionalism and commitment.

Appreciation and appeal

The Chief of the Pwalugu community, Naba Ayine Akpiisikurugu, expressed gratitude to Republic Bank and stakeholders for finally addressing the water crisis that has persisted for generations.

Naba Akpiisikurugu described the new facility as life-changing, noting that it had significantly reduced the burden of walking long distances in search of water.

“May the Almighty God bless Republic Bank for saving us and generations to come.

We pray that the investment in us will return to them a hundredfold and enable them to open more branches so they can continue to touch lives,” he added.

The Assembly Member for the Pwalugu Electoral Area, Moses Adongo, commended Republic Bank for helping to relieve the community of its decades-long water crisis.

He, however, expressed concern that some residents live about three miles away from the water source and appealed to the bank and other institutions to support further interventions to completely eliminate water insecurity in the area.

A leader of the women, Hawa Ayinga, 60, said she was seeing a mechanised borehole in the community for the first time. She commended the bank for the gesture.

“I want to appeal for an additional borehole for some of us.

We will be grateful because some of us live miles away, and having another borehole closer to us will be a great relief,” she added.

The Upper East Regional Minister, Akamugri Donatus Atanga, described the commissioning as a symbol of dignity, hope, and improved living conditions for the people of Pwalugu.

He commended Republic Bank Ghana for the gesture, saying the intervention aligned with national development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those focused on health, water, sanitation and partnerships.

“This is not just a water facility; it is a lifeline that restores dignity and improves livelihoods,” he said.

The minister also reaffirmed government’s commitment to expanding access to essential social infrastructure across the region.

He urged community members to safeguard the facility and ensure its proper use to guarantee long-term benefits.