By Rebecca Ampah
The Minister for Works, Housing, and Water Resources, Mr. Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, has commended Ghana Water Limited (GWL) for its efforts in expanding urban water supply and improving service delivery.
During a working visit to the GWL Head Office in Accra, the Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to ensuring universal access to potable water. He engaged with GWL’s Managing Director, Mr. Adam Mutawakilu, and other executives to assess the company’s operations, challenges, and strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing water supply across urban Ghana.
Speaking at the engagement, Mr. Adjei assured Ghanaians of the Government’s dedication to providing safe and affordable water. He emphasized that the Government is committed to providing the necessary resources and policy interventions to support GWL in fulfilling its mandate. He stated that access to clean water is a fundamental right and pledged to work closely with stakeholders to improve infrastructure, address operational challenges, and enhance service delivery.
He further highlighted that water sector development remains a priority, stressing the importance of funding infrastructure projects to expand water supply networks across the country. Recognizing the pivotal role of GWL in urban water supply, the Minister pledged the Government’s continued support to enhance the company’s efficiency.
He also reiterated efforts to tackle Non-Revenue Water (NRW) losses, infrastructure rehabilitation, and sustainable water management.
Mr. Mutawakilu provided an overview of GWL’s governance structure, noting that the company operates under a Board of Directors with multiple divisions, including Water Treatment and Quality Management, Finance and Accounting, Business Development, and Regional Operations. He stated that GWL currently oversees 92 water systems, serving approximately 17 million people, with a goal to improve service delivery, enhance efficiency, and ensure financial sustainability.
To enhance urban water supply, GWL has undertaken several projects, including expanding transmission lines from Kpong to Tema to improve supply reliability. The company is also replacing aging pumps, installing Automatic Voltage Regulators (AVRs), and dredging water intake points at locations such as Sekyere Hemang, Owabi, Winneba, and Nsawam.
Mr. Mutawakilu acknowledged that Non-Revenue Water (NRW) losses, caused by leaks, theft, and metering inaccuracies, pose a major challenge to the company. Currently, NRW accounts for significant revenue losses, impacting GWL’s ability to invest in system improvements. To address this, GWL is implementing measures such as upgrading metering systems to improve accuracy and reduce billing errors. Additionally, the company is deploying technology, including drones and GIS mapping, to detect and fix leaks while encouraging responsible water usage and prompt bill payments.
To ensure sustainable water delivery, GWL plans to reduce NRW by one to two percent annually. The company is also scaling up e-business solutions, including electronic payments and digital monitoring of operations, and strengthening collaborations with government agencies to combat water source pollution. To further improve operational efficiency, GWL is investing in reducing downtime through a Performance Improvement Programme (PIP).
In response, Minister Adjei reaffirmed the Government’s readiness to support GWL’s strategies and prioritize water accessibility as part of the broader infrastructure development agenda. He assured that the Ministry will work closely with GWL to ensure urban water supply meets growing demand while remaining affordable
Below is the full statement:
