The Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission, Nii Moi Thompson, has accused Ghana Water Limited (GWL) of straying from its core responsibility of providing potable water.

Speaking on Channel One TV on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, he warned that inefficiencies in the water sector could undermine Ghana’s development.

“The negligence and impunity by those who should be producing water, and the fact that they’ve deviated from their core mandate and I’m talking about Ghana Water here,” he said.

Thompson criticized GWL for failing to meet its own targets on water losses.

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“In their 2022–2025 progress report, they promised to reduce water losses from 45% to 25%. Instead, losses rose to 52.2%, and nobody is being held accountable,” he noted.

He further condemned the company’s move into sachet and bottled water production, arguing that it puts GWL in direct competition with private businesses rather than focusing on its public service role.

“What they have done is also to deviate from their core mandate of producing potable water for industry, households and businesses to now producing sachet water in competition with private enterprise. I am told they want to move into bottle water, and competing with private businesses instead of focusing on their core mandate of supplying us with potable water,” he stated.

Meanwhile, former GWL Managing Director, Clifford Braimah, has warned of looming water shortages if urgent action is not taken.

He pointed to rising pollution in water bodies and stressed the need for stronger protection of water sources to ensure reliable supply.

The situation has led to fresh calls for changes in the water sector to improve how things are managed and ensure steady water supply.

SO/SA

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