Ghana MP Delivers 32 Boreholes to Water-Scarce Communities

Women danced and played music in the streets of Erbierteng, Ghana, as Member of Parliament Peter Lanchene Toobu arrived to commission a new borehole that will transform their daily lives. For communities in the Wa West district that have long struggled with water access, this moment represented more than infrastructure—it was proof that promises can be kept.

Toobu visited five communities in one day, personally pumping each newly installed borehole alongside local women leaders. The symbolic gesture emphasized his belief that real development requires working together, not just handing down solutions from above.

"During the 2024 campaign, I promised you water," Toobu told residents of Erbierteng. "I want to do politics of honesty—when I say it, I will do it."

The MP didn't just deliver the boreholes and leave. He tackled a critical challenge that plagues many development projects: maintenance. Ghana's poor maintenance culture means many community facilities fall into disrepair within years of installation.

Toobu urged each household to contribute a small monthly amount to create a maintenance fund. To jumpstart the initiative, he donated 500 Ghana cedis as seed money, ensuring communities have resources ready when repairs are needed.

The Ripple Effect

The impact extends far beyond these five villages. District Chief Executive Richard Wulo revealed that 32 boreholes have been drilled across Wa West in less than a year—19 from the MP's initiatives and 13 from the District Assembly.

This massive investment comes as the district experiences rapid population growth, putting unprecedented pressure on water resources. Wulo shared that President John Dramani Mahama has committed 10% of the District Assembly Common Fund to the district for development projects, an allocation he called "unprecedented in the history of decentralization."

The government is now encouraging communities to form borehole management committees to ensure these resources benefit future generations. Local Assembly Member Edward celebrated the swift delivery: "Our honorable MP promised us that water is life. The first promise is fulfilled."

Toobu sees the water project as just the beginning, promising rural electrification and road improvements are on the horizon for these communities.

Water is life, and for 32 communities in Wa West, that life just got significantly better.