Ayo Intermediaries Ghana Limited’s Initiative to Address Water Scarcity in Agona Nkum
Ayo Intermediaries Ghana Limited, a leading micro-insurance provider and a subsidiary of MTN Ghana, has taken a significant step towards addressing the acute water shortage in the Agona Nkum community, located in the Agona West Municipality of the Central Region. The company has constructed a GH¢150,000 mechanised borehole to provide a reliable source of clean water for the residents.
This initiative was prompted by the cholera outbreak that occurred in February, which severely affected the Central Region, with Agona Nkum being one of the hardest-hit areas. The situation led to several fatalities, prompting aYo to act swiftly. After assessing the conditions on the ground, the team found that the water supply in the area was highly irregular, and the only available source of potable water—a nearby stream—was contaminated due to a nearby dumping site.
To address this issue, aYo contracted vendors from Accra to build the mechanised borehole. This project aims to provide a sustainable solution to the community’s water needs and prevent further outbreaks of water-borne diseases.
At the official commissioning ceremony, the CEO of aYo Ghana, Francis Gota, highlighted the company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects focused on health, education, and technology. He emphasized that the borehole project is specifically designed to prevent water-related illnesses and reduce the burden on women and children who often have to travel long distances to fetch water.
Gota urged the community to take ownership of the borehole, stating, “We urge you to see it as your own—maintain it, protect it, and ensure that it serves both the current and future generations.” His message underscored the importance of community involvement in sustaining such vital infrastructure.
In addition to its CSR initiatives, aYo has made a substantial contribution to insurance coverage in Ghana. The company currently covers over 8.5 million lives through various insurance packages, including life and hospitalization insurance. Over the past seven years, aYo has paid out more than GH¢36 million in insurance claims, demonstrating its commitment to ensuring that policyholders can access the benefits they are entitled to.
The company continues to develop innovative insurance products tailored for the most vulnerable segments of society. These packages are designed to be affordable and easily accessible. For instance, the popular Family Cover policy allows users to pay just GH¢15 per month for up to GH¢15,000 in coverage. This affordability is achieved through easy access via dialing *296# on MTN networks.
After the commissioning of the borehole, aYo’s team also visited the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Agona West, Eric Gyamfi Odoom, to share the details of their initiative. Odoom praised aYo for its contribution to alleviating the water crisis in Agona Nkum, noting that the borehole has significantly reduced the burden on local resources. He expressed hope that other communities could benefit from similar interventions.
Odoom also raised concerns about the contamination of local streams due to illegal mining activities, known locally as galamsey. He called on influential figures in media, religious institutions, and civil society to unite against such activities, as they have worsened the water scarcity problem in the region.
The Omankrado of Agona Nkum, Nana Mprah Afful, thanked aYo for its gesture, emphasizing the critical need for additional infrastructure. He mentioned that the community requires two more boreholes and a community library. He expressed hope that aYo would return soon to support these additional needs.
Through its various initiatives, aYo continues to demonstrate its role as a responsible corporate citizen, contributing not only to the well-being of the communities it serves but also to the broader development of Ghana.
