By: Moses Dari Dorlintey
A United States-based fashion company, Ralph Lauren, has expressed satisfaction over the upkeep of a water project it supported in the Wechiau-Bao community in the Wa West District of the Upper West Region.
The project, a borehole constructed in 2019 for the Wechiau-Bao Primary School, was inspected on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, as part of efforts to assess its impact and sustainability.
Speaking during the visit, the founder of the initiative, “Give Me Tap”, Edwin Broni Mensah, emphasized the critical role of water access in improving education. He explained that before the intervention, pupils often had to leave school in search of water, a situation that disrupted academic activities.
According to him, the initiative is part of a broader vision to provide 100 boreholes to 100 communities across the Upper West Region, aimed at addressing water challenges in deprived areas.
Mr. Mensah expressed excitement over how well the Wechiau-Bao community has maintained the facility since its construction, noting that it was encouraging to see more children in school making good use of the water source.
He further indicated that the organisation prioritizes water interventions because over 700 million people worldwide still lack access to clean water. He stressed that improving water availability has far-reaching benefits for health, agriculture, and socio-economic development.
The Upper West Regional Director of Pronet North, Martin Dery, who was at the occasion, commended the Ralph Lauren for the intervention, noting that while many donors focus on other sectors, investment in boreholes and water infrastructure remains essential.
He disclosed that the organisation is also exploring additional support in the area of climate action, particularly through the introduction of energy-saving stoves to reduce the use of firewood and charcoal in the region.
On his part, Assembly Member for the Sanuori Electoral Area, Hon. Claudius Dare Kuuyor, praised the initiative and lauded residents for their commitment to maintaining the facility.
Beneficiaries of the project expressed their gratitude to the donors and appealed for more support to further improve access to basic amenities in the community.
