Story By: Lucy Baagyei-Danso
Saha Global is scaling up its Rural Water Utility (RWU) model to additional communities across the Northern and Savannah Regions as part of its broader goal to ensure sustainable access to safe drinking water.
The targeted communities, Chandanyili, Nyeshila, Jarayili, Zolizogu, and several others, which currently operate under the Legacy Model, have faced several operational challenges, prompting their transition to the improved RWU system.
So far, 268 out of 454 communities have been enrolled, with the remainder expected to join by the end of 2025.
According to Mr. Kofi Duku, Director of Water Quality and Service Delivery at Saha Global, the RWU model is designed to promote consistent access to safe water at highly reduced costs.
Saha’s field officer, Amenyeku Dzorsah, and some operators in Jarayili in the Savannah region
“We are hopeful that lower water prices under RWU will significantly boost safe water consumption in all households,” he said.
Under the Legacy Model, water was stored in Safe Storage Containers (SSCs) provided by Saha. While SSCs are still encouraged under the RWU model, community members are now also urged to fetch clean water directly into their clean containers, to further increase daily usage.
The new model also addresses one of the major burdens faced by rural households—the long distances, often over an hour, that women and children must walk to fetch water. With RWU centres situated within the communities, this strain is dramatically reduced.
Saha’s field officer, Amenyeku Dzorsah talking to community members in Chanadanyili about the transition.
The model also includes formalized roles for local women, now called operators, who are contracted, paid regular allowances, and assessed using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Those with strong performance receive additional financial incentives through structured improvement plans.
“We’re not just improving water access—we’re creating jobs, saving time, and protecting health,” Duku added.
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com
