GWL’s pipelines are obsolete, affecting quality water supply – WASH Expert
GWL's pipelines are obsolete, affecting quality water supply – WASH Expert
Head of Strategy, Policy and Campaigns at WaterAid Ghana, Mr. Ibrahim Musah, has hinted that Ghana Water Limited’s (GWL) distribution pipelines have become obsolete, thus affecting the quality of water supplied to residents in the various urban cities.
According to him, the aging pipes consistently rust and burst, leading to frequent repairs and disruptions in water supply. He has thus called on the government to inject capital into the operations of the urban water distributions company to reverse the negative trend.
He pointed out that water infrastructure is capital intensive and requires huge capital investment. Saying GWL needs huge financing to replace aged pipelines to boost safe water supply.
“The lack of proper maintenance and upgrade of the pipelines has resulted in significant water losses, with over half of the water produced by GWCL being lost before it reaches consumers.
This is a significant challenge, especially considering the growing demand for water in urban areas. To address these challenges, GWCL has been working to improve its infrastructure, including the development of nature-based solutions for water management. However, more needs to be done to ensure that the water supply is reliable, safe, and sustainable,” he retorted.
Speaking to some journalists in Accra, the Head of Strategy, Policy and Campaigns at WaterAid Ghana, explained that Ghana’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector has remained predominantly donor funded.
In 2022, 73% of the total budget allocated to the sector was from donor sources while 22% came from the Government of Ghana (GoG). In 2023, donor funding for the sector increased to 92%, an increase of 18% over the 2022 allocation while GoG allocation has reduced to 8% in 2023. In 2024, donor funding was 95% while GoG funding was 5%. This he noted is not encouraging, and certainly not sustainable as ongoing gaps in aid ample demonstrate this.
Mr. Ibrahim Musah stressed that the GoG must endeavour to reverse this trend if it wants to achieve WASH for all in Ghana and accelerate the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG Goal 6.
“It is important for government to take ownership of financing the sector and partner with private sector using the mechanisms of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Water infrastructure is capital intensive and requires huge capital investment. Ghana Water Limited (GWL) needs huge financing to replace aged pipelines to boost safe water supply. Regional Capitals like Tamale, Cape Coast, Ho, Takoradi, Kumasi, and parts of Accra are experiencing daily water shortages because demand has outstripped supply. Rural areas where community water supply is most needed also require huge investments,” the Head of Strategy, Policy and Campaigns at WaterAid Ghana reiterated.
The situation, according to him is compounded by activities of illegal mining on river bodies where GWL intake points are found, especially in Central, Western, Eastern and Ashanti Region Regions. The Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) which is undergoing reforms to professionalize rural and small-town water delivery need sustainable funding to expand their operations as well.
Hygiene infrastructure and education at public places, including lorry parks, recreational centres, markets, and other areas equally need investment which was also costed in the Ghana WASH Sector Development Programme. He added.
On the issues of hygiene, Mr. Musah revealed that the gains made in hygiene programme post-COVID 19 is almost gone. This according to him, does not only affects the quality of water but also poses health risks to consumers, as the stagnant water in uncovered pits becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects.
On the issue of sanitation. Mr. Musah called for the separation of organic waste from inorganic waste. Saying when organic waste is properly separated from inorganic waste, the country, through the waste management companies, can be able to transform the organic waste into several useful products as it is done elsewhere.
“For instance, some of the organic waste can be used to generate biogas, and Safisana Ghana Limited, in a pilot project, has proven that biogas can fit into the national grid. And again, organic waste can be transformed into fertilizer, which we are importing in huge amounts.
Another technique that can help to address the unsanitary condition most Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs), find themselves in is the implementation of the principles of circular economy, as espoused by the John Mahama-led government.
So, if we can use the circular economic principles, we can transform the organic waste, either market waste or whatever, into fertilizer. However, he was quick to add that such techniques can help when the private sector is roped in. “This means that the government should create an enabling environment for private sector players to bring in the needed capital and expertise. And I bet you, if this is done and done well, the youth will be employed, and you know, the country will be a blessed one for everybody. So Circular Economy principles should be promoted,” Mr. Musah opined.
