Residents of Amasaman District, the third-largest district in the country, are grappling with a critical water shortage, with Twellium Industries at the center of controversy.
It is alleged that the company has leveraged its influence to prioritize its water supply from the Ghana Water Company (GWC), drastically reducing availability for domestic use.
The crisis mirrors last year’s ordeal when over six months of dry taps forced residents to turn to private suppliers, now charging three times the usual rate. The economic strain has been palpable, disproportionately affecting low-income households already facing inflationary pressures.
The GWC has yet to issue an official statement addressing the allegations or providing a resolution timeline. Historically, the company has cited challenges such as outdated infrastructure, growing demand, and industrial pressures as causes of intermittent supply issues. If verified, the redirection of water to industrial facilities like Twellium underscores systemic inefficiencies in balancing industrial and domestic needs.
The tripling of water prices from private suppliers significantly impacts disposable income, particularly for vulnerable groups. Small enterprises reliant on water, including restaurants and laundromats, face operational challenges, leading to potential job losses.
Limited water access raises sanitation concerns, increasing healthcare costs and reducing productivity.
Also, prolonged shortages could deter future investments in the district, emphasizing the need for robust infrastructure planning. This issue highlights the broader challenge of resource allocation in rapidly industrializing regions, emphasizing the importance of transparency and sustainable policies to ensure equitable access to essential services.
Business owners in Amasaman have voiced out their grievances challenging GWCL to act swiftly to resolve the issues or else face massive demonstrations in the coming days amid the election period.
Madam Akler Osei-Wireko, a civil servant residing at Amasaman, raised concerns about the prolongation of the issue since the Christmas season is looming, which means there will be more pressure on production for Twellium. “Christmas is fast approaching, so their production will increase, that means no water till next year could be the situation” she lamented.
GWCL has attributed the ongoing water crisis in the Amasaman District to a combination of increasing population pressure and infrastructure limitations.
According to GWCL’s Managing Director, Dr. Clifford Braimah, the company’s current water production capacity is insufficient to meet the demands of the growing population in the Greater Accra Region. Plans to expand production, including a new system at Kpone, have been hindered by financial constraints since 2017.
Rafael Tetteh, an official from GWCL explained to The High Street Journal that his office has taken a keen interest in the issue after a meeting with top management.
“A delegation from top management is paying a visit to Nsawam with both Nsawam and Amasaman reps together with engineers from both Eastern and Accra West to track the bottlenecks preventing the flow to Amasaman and to take a final decision. Hope this eases your concerns.
“We thank you all for your patience and hope this meeting tomorrow will bring some peace. As stakeholders you need to know what is happening on the grounds,” he assured.
Twellium Industries, while not directly addressed by GWCL regarding allegations of redirecting water supplies, has defended its operations. The company emphasized its commitment to sustainability and compliance, pointing out its advanced effluent treatment facility designed to process industrial waste responsibly
The water crisis is having severe economic repercussions in Amasaman. Residents are forced to rely on private water suppliers, paying three times the usual rates. This significantly increases household expenses, particularly for low-income families, and diverts spending from other essential needs.
Additionally, businesses relying on consistent water supply, such as small-scale manufacturers and service providers, face operational challenges and increased costs, which could hinder local economic growth.
Addressing this crisis effectively will require a multi-stakeholder approach, including expanding GWCL’s infrastructure, ensuring equitable water distribution, and fostering collaboration with industrial users like Twellium to balance corporate and community needs.
