Residents in the Ashanti Region may soon face severe water shortages following the Ghana Water Company Limited’s (GWCL) decision to suspend operations across the region. The shutdown, announced in protest of a controversial demolition exercise on GWCL property at Ridge Residential Area in Kumasi, could leave millions scrambling for alternative water sources.
Workers at the company issued an ultimatum on Wednesday, warning that unless the exercise is halted, water supply to the entire region will remain cut off.
The Vice Chair of the Senior Staff Association of GWCL in Ashanti, Emmanuel Okpoti, disclosed that the affected property is critical to the company’s water distribution infrastructure. He explained that the facility, situated at a high elevation, houses vital components necessary for water flow across the region. “It means that they are just going to take away our facilities.
How can we supply water when we don’t have the opportunity to expand?” Mr. Okpoti lamented during an interview with JoyNews’ Emmanuel Bright Quaicoe.
Investigations by JoyNews reveal that the disputed land had been used as collateral for private developers contracted to construct bungalows for government agencies. This followed the Asantehene’s decision to retain about 400 acres of land, which included GWCL’s Ridge property. Stakeholders involved in the demolition have yet to address the concerns raised by GWCL workers, intensifying the standoff.
The implications of the demolition go beyond property disputes. According to Mr. Okpoti, losing access to the elevated property will undermine water supply efficiency in Kumasi and its environs. “High elevations are important for water supply. They provide avenues to augment flow within the region,” he explained. The company fears this could disrupt its ability to meet the growing water demands of the metropolis.
GWCL workers insist they will not resume operations until their demands are met, leaving residents bracing for a potentially prolonged crisis. “We are shutting operations to the whole of the Ashanti Region. Until they heed to our demands, we are not resuming operations,” Mr. Okpoti emphasized.
As water shortages loom, residents are urging the government and stakeholders to resolve the dispute swiftly. Meanwhile, experts warn that prolonged disruptions could have dire consequences for businesses, hospitals, and households across the region.
