Nadiziere residents issue desperate plea as water scarcity forces youth exodus

Residents of Nadiziere, a remote community nestled within the Wa West District of the Upper West Region, are urgently appealing for intervention as a worsening water crisis jeopardises their health, safety, and the very future of their community.

The settlement, situated near the Black Volta River under the Chiatanga area, lacks access to potable water, relying solely on a seasonal dugout and the distant Black Volta for both drinking and domestic purposes.

According to locals, the dugout runs dry during the dry season, and the Black Volta, their alternative source, is not only a considerable distance away but is also shared with animals, presenting significant health and hygiene risks.

Peter Mwinesegre, the Assembly Member for the Sigri Electoral Area, described the situation as critical and unsustainable. “We haven’t a single borehole. They are reliant on a dugout, which mostly dries up during the dry season. Their other water source is the Black Volta, where they compete with livestock,” he stated in an interview with Asaase News.

He further explained that the long trek to the river, coupled with recent security concerns regarding terrorist activity in the vicinity, has made fetching water increasingly perilous, particularly for women. “It’s causing women to fear even going to collect water. Due to security worries, it’s no longer safe,” he said.

The absence of clean water has contributed to a worrying trend of young people leaving Nadiziere,  Mwinesegre elaborated. “When young people marry and bring their wives, they ultimately depart the community because of the water situation,” he lamented. “Now, it’s predominantly the elderly who remain.”

Mwinesegre noted that numerous appeals have been made to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community-based organisations (CBOs) over the years, yet the community has not received any meaningful assistance. He is now imploring any benevolent individuals or institutions capable of providing support to intervene without delay.

Adding his voice to the urgent plea, resident Francis Eognoe said, “Truly, we are suffering. The water we drink is simply not good. We endure waterborne illnesses and frequently have to visit the hospital.”

Eognoe also highlighted the poor state of the road infrastructure and the lack of electricity in the area, revealing that some residents have relocated solely to gain access to basic amenities. “Even charging our phones or making calls is a challenge,” he added.

David Mwinetuoti, another resident, emphasised that even during the rainy season, obtaining clean water remains a significant challenge. “Our health situation is also very poor. We don’t have a nearby health facility, so we travel long distances for treatment,” he stated. “Even getting mobile network service requires us to walk to another community.”

Nadiziere is one of 14 communities within the Sigri Electoral Area, which falls under the Dorimon Traditional Council and encompasses six polling stations. Mwinesegre believes that addressing the community’s water crisis could halt further migration and significantly improve the quality of life for its inhabitants.

Report by Alhassan Tajudeen for Asaase News in the Upper West Region