Saha Global has announced a five-year, $5 million grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation in support of improving access to safe water in rural communities in Ghana.

The funding will help Saha Global expand its water service to more than 400,000 individuals living in some of Ghana’s most remote and vulnerable regions and underscores the organization’s long-term goal of achieving universal water access for all in Ghana, particularly for the most marginalized and underserved communities. For more than 15 years, Saha Global has worked to develop and refine an innovative, community-driven model that empowers local women as water entrepreneurs and provides affordable safe water to remote, rural villages.

“We are deeply honored to receive this support from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, so we can continue to make a lasting impact in communities that are the hardest to reach and often overlooked,” said Saha Global executive director Kate Cincotta. “This grant is a critical step in expanding our efforts to reach vulnerable populations. It will allow us to advocate for the unique needs of people living in last-mile villages and to ensure that everyone in Ghana has reliable access to safe water.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/himarkley)