water sources, infrastructure, space and the dynamics of ...

Water sources, infrastructure, space and the dynamics of environmental diseases in Saboba District: Using GIStreatment of diseases (such as the current artesunate-amodiaquinecampaigns) to preventive measures such as closing of all pits or potholesaround houses and the use of mosquito nets.District AssemblyIt is recommended to the district assembly to incorporate extralegalmanagement of water resources by including the traditional setup such asUmoadanbor, Utindan and chiefs into the formal management system as away of gaining grassroots support for water management. The assemblyis encouraged to provide funding and logistics to the Saboba CommunityWater Development Board to provide treated and uninterrupted pipewater supply to the communities. It is surprising to note that the watercompany has not bought chlorine since 2003.This study also recommends to the district assembly to provide moreresources to the District Environmental Health Office so that it canundertake some health campaigns and monitor water and sanitationconditions in the district. The district assembly should repair all damagedand non-functioning boreholes (examples are Moadani, SABTECH andHilltop boreholes) for the communities and encourage the public to takeresponsibility of maintenance in the future. The assembly also need totake a serious attention to ascertain why some boreholes’ water(Bordagbalm, Moadani etc) smells and devise remedies to avoid drillingin such geological areas, as it makes no sense providing borehole waterwhen the communities do not use it. A good number of boreholes arepartially inaccessible to users during rainy seasons when water floods theintervening streams, valleys and lowlying areas. It is recommended thatefforts be put in place to consider all-year-round accessibility when drillingnew boreholes for communities in the district. A bye-law is also neededto encourage people to close or cover up any sand-winning pit(s) dug forbuilding purposes. Alternatively, common areas should be earmarked forsand winning purposes while careful steps are taken to disinfect it tomake it difficult for mosquitoes to breed. There is also the need toprovide waste bins for the district. The ongoing efforts of ZoomlionGhana Ltd is in the right direction and commendable. However, moreneed to be done if there is to be any environmental health gains.Government MinistriesThe various government ministries are also urged to collaborate inreducing environmental and specifically water related diseases through amulti-sector and integrative management plans with other departmentsincluding sanitation, environment, finance, and health as suggested byWorld Bank (2002). The involvement of local communities will be a plusfor the success of such plans. To help reduce age inflation or reductionand remove fraud, the ongoing National Identification Card System mustbe fastened. Also, the District Electoral Commission should release thedistrict’s register for the NHIS to use to verify ages of people.Local CommunitiesThe local communities are encouraged to grow a plant, which is locallybut sarcastically named unadon-born, which literally means, mosquito love orpartner (Appendix IV a) around their houses. The plant is largely andunquestionably known to repel mosquitoes. Also, the use of mosquitonets is one of the best options available. The people should also beencouraged to contribute money to maintain or drill boreholes forthemselves, since the days when governments needed to provideeverything for its people (socialism) are over. The general public is urgedto end the burning of plant matter in their rooms. Alternatively the59