By: Gloria Anderson
Meaningful Life International (MLI), a Christian humanitarian and missionary organization, has launched its 20th anniversary celebrations with a renewed commitment to expanding its impact in Accra and deepening rural development efforts nationwide. As part of the milestone activities, the organization has unveiled an ambitious plan to drill 100 additional boreholes over the next two years under a comprehensive clean water expansion drive across the country
The milestone event, attended by partners, clergy, diplomats and government officials, highlighted two decades of the organization’s impact in transforming underserved communities.
Speaking to the media, the CEO of MLI, Rev. Godwin Kofi Ahlijah, reflected on the organization’s 20-year journey, describing it as one driven by persistence, faith and an unwavering dedication to addressing Ghana’s water crisis.
“It has been 20 years of grinding,” he said. “From the beginning people didn’t understand what we were doing, but we persisted. We started with one borehole, returned to thank our donors, and that gratitude opened doors for more support. Today, by the grace of God, we have drilled over 80 boreholes for communities that once had nothing but streams shared with cattle and mudholes that endangered lives.”
He explained that the impact of clean water in rural communities is often underestimated, recounting how children suffered water-related diseases and missed school due to long walks to unsafe sources. “You have no idea what one borehole does in the life of a community,” he noted. “In some places, women told us their marriages improved because they no longer had to leave home before dawn or return late at night just to fetch a single bucket of water.”
Looking to the future, Rev. Ahlijah announced that MLI is entering its next phase with a renewed focus on mobilizing local support rather than relying solely on international donors. He said the organization’s new “Legacy Wells” vision seeks to bring together corporate institutions, individuals and communities to contribute to drilling 100 new boreholes nationwide. “There are Ghanaians who can also help,” he said. “It’s not always the big contributions; it is the little drops that create the mighty ocean.”
He also detailed a series of activities lined up for the organization’s 20th anniversary year, explaining that MLI intends to deepen national awareness, strengthen partnerships and widen its outreach. Among these activities is what he described as the “Professional Ambitions Trip,” a national tour aimed at promoting domestic tourism while exposing people, particularly urban dwellers, to the realities of rural life and the pressing water needs in those areas. He said the tour will start from Akosombo and move through several regional corridors including the Afram Plains, Dambai, Jasikan, Nkwanta, Bimbilla and Tamale, visiting communities that rarely make it into national conversations yet face some of the worst water challenges.
Rev. Ahlijah added that MLI will also embark on a national corporate engagement campaign dubbed “24 for 20,” inviting companies across the country to sponsor boreholes and receive certificates of honor signed by beneficiary chiefs and community leaders. He further announced that numerous medical outreaches will be conducted throughout the year to address both water-related and lifestyle diseases, particularly in areas where the lack of clean water has contributed to widespread health complications.
The Municipal Chief Executive of Ketu North, Rev. Martin Amenaki, praised MLI’s work in his municipality, describing it as a lifeline. “Many of our communities were drinking from the same streams as cattle,” he said.
“MLI came in, saw the reality for themselves, and quickly drilled boreholes in places like Neighborkope and Kpokukorpe. They didn’t only provide water; they conducted medical screenings and gave free treatment. They have truly been a blessing to our people.” He appealed for more support, saying the municipality needs over ten additional boreholes.
The Vanuatu Trade Commissioner to Ghana, Ambassador Prof. Hugh K. Aryee, also commended MLI for its remarkable priorities. “It is astonishing that after 20 years, the church’s own building is not yet complete, yet they have invested heavily in rural communities, drilling more than 70 boreholes. That is a powerful message, that your own house may not be finished, but you can still extend a helping hand.”
He urged stakeholders to adopt innovative measures to tackle the growing issue of illegal mining, noting that technology must be central to Ghana’s fight. “The galamsey problem is complex,” he said. “But in this era, we must deploy artificial intelligence. AI can detect what human eyes cannot see. We cannot use outdated tools to solve modern challenges.”
Rev. Ahlijah echoed these concerns, warning that polluted rivers now expose communities to heavy metals that damage kidneys and other vital organs. “When you drill one borehole, you could be preventing someone from ending up on dialysis,” he stated.
Meaningful Life International began its official operations in 2006 when it was registered in Ghana as a non-denominational Christian NGO dedicated to evangelism and holistic community development. Based in Tema, the organization expanded its reach in 2010 when its sister agency, Meaningful Life USA, secured charitable nonprofit status. Over the years, MLI has become known for blending spiritual outreach with critical social interventions, particularly in water provision and healthcare.
As the organization enters its third decade, Rev. Ahlijah reaffirmed its purpose with conviction: “As long as God gives us breath, we will keep pushing. The journey is not over. We will drill more wells, reach more communities and bring hope to the places that need it most.”
