The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints completed one of its largest projects in the West Africa Area recently by bringing public toilets and mechanized boreholes to four different communities in the northern region of Ghana.
In a news release dated Aug. 31, the Church’s Africa Newsroom reported on the official handover for the new facilities in Bincheratanga, Buariyili, Makayili and Nakpa.
The assemblyman for Bincheratanga, Nelson Jato, said it was a great day.
“We give God almighty thanks and glory for this day and give a very big thanks to [the Church]. Their generosity has given us joy that cannot be over emphasized,” he said.
The new systems bring better sanitation and safer drinking water much closer to the people. Many who do not have access to portable water facilities reside in poorer, more rural areas, and often it’s the women and children who have to travel far to collect water from dugouts and dams — which is unsafe.
Abdulai Yaquob, the municipal chief executive for Nanumba North, which includes those four communities, said the Church’s humanitarian efforts not just in the areas of water and sanitation, but also education and health care have brought significant improvements to the area.
“This important occasion is another opportunity for us to show case and celebrate the successful execution of critical projects that bring about true transformation in the lives of our people,” Yaquob said.
Following his remarks, there was a brief colorful display by the group Likpakpa cultural troop to mark the occasion. A closing prayer was said by the chief imam of Bincheratanga.
Safe drinking water is a priority for the Church, though partnerships with nonprofit organizations and missionary humanitarian work taking place around the world. For example, this past year, the Church completed boreholes in other villages in Ghana. They also partnered with Water for People to restore a water source in Uganda.
Read more about the Church’s clean water program through its approach of water systems, local water committees and hygiene training at LatterDaySaintCharities.org.
