Founder and Leader of the All People’s Congress (APC), Dr. Hassan Abdulai Ayariga, has raised concerns over the financial and operational challenges confronting Ghana Water Limited (GWL), warning that the country’s water supply system requires urgent government intervention.
He said information available to him from sources within the water sector suggests that Ghana Water Limited urgently needs approximately US$60 million to invest in new water treatment plants and expand its existing treatment capacity to improve water supply nationwide.
According to Dr. Ayariga, the situation has been compounded by the reported non-release of critical government funding for the water sector for almost two years, a development he said could undermine the company’s operational efficiency and infrastructure expansion efforts.
He noted that the funding challenges were already having implications for water delivery in several parts of the country, particularly Greater Accra, Ho and some communities in the Central Region, where residents were reportedly experiencing irregular water supply.
Of particular concern, he warned, is the possibility that Ghana Water Limited could struggle to guarantee reliable and uninterrupted water supply to communities if substantial investments are not made in new treatment plants within the next 18 months.
Dr. Ayariga described the development as a serious warning that requires immediate national attention, urging relevant authorities to undertake a comprehensive technical assessment of the situation before it deteriorates further.
He therefore called on the Ministry of Finance, the ministry responsible for water resources and the management of Ghana Water Limited to urgently investigate the reported funding constraints, establish the actual financial requirements and develop a sustainable investment programme to address the country’s water infrastructure challenges.
The APC leader stressed that access to clean and safe drinking water was a fundamental necessity and should not be treated as a luxury, particularly given its importance to public health, sanitation, economic productivity and the general well-being of citizens.
He cautioned against waiting until the country experiences more severe water shortages before taking decisive action, insisting that proactive investment in water treatment facilities and distribution infrastructure was essential to safeguarding the country’s water security.
Dr. Ayariga further maintained that water security must remain a national development priority, irrespective of political affiliation, urging the government and all relevant stakeholders to work together to protect the country’s water supply system for present and future generations.
Read the official statement below!
GHANA’S WATER SUPPLY CHALLENGES REQUIRE URGENT NATIONAL ATTENTION
A Statement by Dr. Hassan Abdulai Ayariga
Water is life, and access to clean, safe and reliable drinking water is a basic necessity that every Ghanaian deserves.
I have received deeply concerning information from sources within the water sector regarding the financial and operational challenges confronting Ghana Water Limited (GWL).
According to information available to me, Ghana Water Limited urgently requires approximately US$60 million to invest in new water treatment plants and expand its treatment capacity to improve water supply across the country.
I am further informed that critical government funding for the sector has reportedly not been released for almost two years, creating serious difficulties for the company’s operations and infrastructure development.
The situation is particularly concerning in Greater Accra, Ho and parts of the Central Region, where many communities are reportedly experiencing irregular water supply.
Of particular concern is the warning that without significant investment in new water treatment plants within the next 18 months, Ghana Water Limited may be unable to guarantee reliable and uninterrupted water supply to the communities it serves.
This is a serious warning that deserves urgent technical assessment and national attention.
I therefore call on the Ministry of Finance, the ministry responsible for water resources and the management of Ghana Water Limited to urgently assess the situation, clarify the funding requirements and develop a practical investment programme to address the country’s water infrastructure needs.
Water supply is not a luxury. It is essential to public health, sanitation, economic development and the dignity of every Ghanaian.
We must not wait until communities experience more severe water shortages before taking the necessary steps to strengthen our national water infrastructure.
Ghana’s water security must remain a national development priority, regardless of political affiliation.
Dr. Hassan Abdulai Ayariga
Founder and Leader
All People’s Congress (APC)
