Residents of Obirikorang Amanfro, a community in the Eastern Region, can now access clean drinking water following the inauguration of a mechanised borehole constructed by Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., Sigma Mu Sigma Chapter (Ghana Sigmas), in partnership with Mt. Enon Baptist Church in the United States.
The project, which aims to alleviate water shortages and improve sanitation, was officially handed over on March 9, 2025, with a delegation from the fraternity and their partners in attendance.
Commitment to community development
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Dr Edmund T. Sherrill, Pastor of Mt. Enon Baptist Church, described the initiative as part of the church’s long-standing commitment to humanitarian efforts in Ghana.
“We believe in transforming lives according to the Word of God, and we believe in doing what God has called us to do—helping those in need. We were excited to provide this borehole for the community because it was much needed,” he stated.
Dr Sherrill explained that Mt. Enon Baptist Church has been involved in various charity projects in Ghana for the past 10 years, and after consultations with Michael Darko, a key partner in the initiative, Obirikorang Amanfro was identified as a community in dire need of potable water.
On his partnership with Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, he noted that his relationship with the fraternity spans over three decades, and their shared mission to improve lives has driven several community projects.
“I have been a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity for 33 years, and we have been working together since my first visit to Ghana to bring change to communities,” he said.
Lifeline for the community
The President of Phi Beta Sigma Ghana, Eric Amo, described the provision of clean water as a core focus of their community development efforts.
“The borehole project is one of our signature initiatives, alongside ‘Sigmas Against the Malaria Epidemic’. This is our sixth or seventh borehole in Ghana, and we continue to identify communities that need potable drinking water,” he stated.
He emphasised that the fraternity, which was founded in 1914, has a deep-rooted history of service, with Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, being inducted as a member in 1941 while studying at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, USA.
“If you don’t know anything about Phi Beta Sigma, you should know that we are a strong brotherhood dedicated to scholarship and service to the communities we belong to,” Amo added.
Gratitude from the community
Expressing appreciation on behalf of the residents, Prince Appietu Appiah, Assembly Member for Attakrom Electoral Area, praised the fraternity for their generosity.
“This mechanised borehole will not only provide water but also promote education because children will no longer have to walk long distances in search of water. It will also enhance sanitation and healthy living in the community,” he noted.
As Phi Beta Sigma Ghana marks its fifth anniversary, fraternity members reaffirmed their commitment to continued service and humanitarian efforts across the country. Plans are already underway for the construction of another borehole in the next seven months, as well as other community-driven initiatives aimed at improving health and education in rural Ghana.