Students at Bimbilla Senior High School in the Northern Region are facing a worsening water crisis that is severely impacting their education and daily lives.
The scarcity has left many students spending long hours searching for water, causing them to miss classes. Some even risk their lives crossing the busy Eastern Corridor Highway in pursuit of potable water.
The persistent shortage in the Nanumba North Municipality has reached a critical point, affecting students’ academic performance and well-being.
Many are forced to wake up at dawn or roam the town late at night with containers in search of water, with some going days without bathing.
Speaking to Channel One News, students expressed their frustration about the dire situation.
“The main challenge here at Bimbilla Senior High School is water. We face serious difficulties accessing water, and this is seriously affecting our studies. We lose concentration in class—sometimes, the teacher will be teaching, and you will see students sleeping, all because they spent long hours searching for water.”
“The water crisis in Bimbilla is very serious, and we, the students, are affected the most. At dawn or in the evening, we are all over town searching for water instead of focusing on our studies. The government must come to our aid—we are suffering.”
One of the dangers the students face is crossing the highway to fetch water. Students called on the government, philanthropists, and organisations to step in and provide a lasting solution.
“We are unable to concentrate on our studies because we spend most of our time searching for water. We are appealing to the government, philanthropists, and NGOs to urgently assist us in getting a reliable water supply for the school.”
Despite numerous efforts by the school’s management, a permanent solution remains elusive. The school’s location makes it difficult to access groundwater, and previous borehole drilling attempts have been unsuccessful.
Additionally, the town’s main water system is unreliable, with supply occurring only once every two weeks or even less frequently.
Senior Housemaster, Tanko Awesu, who spoke to Channel One News about the ongoing challenges said “The main challenge of the school is water. It’s a serious concern for us, and management is not ignoring it. Several attempts have been made to secure a reliable water supply for the school, but all have failed.
“Sometimes, even in the kitchen, we rely on water tankers, but the cost is very high. One concerned resident of Bimbilla, Alhaji Salam, has tried to help, but we are still unable to get a stable water source.”
He mentioned that while the school recently resolved its security concerns by completing a perimeter wall, the water crisis remains the most pressing issue.
He joined the students in calling for immediate assistance.
“We are making a passionate appeal to the government and other well-meaning individuals to come to the aid of the school. Our main challenge is water—we need assistance,” Mr. Awesu stated.
The crisis is not only affecting students but also the people of Bimbilla, who struggle with accessing clean water. Some community members have voiced their concerns, acknowledging the difficulties students face.
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