Wassa Brekum Students Suffer Years of Neglect as Contaminated Water Crisis Persists

Students in Wassa Brekum, a community in Amenfi West, are facing a severe water crisis as they are compelled to drink from a contaminated river, the result of years of disrepair to their piped-borne water system.

During an interaction with Blogger One, a media professional and development advocate, class five students at the Wassa Brekum school revealed the perilous conditions they face on a daily basis. The students shared that they are forced to collect water from a river that has been contaminated, likely due to nearby galamsey (illegal mining) activities. They also disclosed that on occasion they see snakes near the water bank, adding to the dangers they face when they retrieve water from the river.

Adding to their plight, the students described their classrooms as being akin to a “hencoop,” emphasizing the unconducive learning environment in the school. They made an impassioned plea to the government to construct a new school building, hoping to create a safer and more conducive space for their education. The dual challenges of water contamination and inadequate facilities underscore the urgent need for comprehensive action to address the needs of the Wassa Brekum school children.