A startling revelation that nearly one million residents in the Greater Accra Region still depend on informal water sources every day has reignited concerns over Ghana’s urban water security, prompting calls for stronger collaboration to improve access, quality and accountability.
The Executive Secretary of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), Dr. Shafiq Sulemana called for an inclusive, multi-stakeholder approach to address longstanding challenges confronting the country’s water sector.
The call follows a high-level engagement between the PURC and a delegation from Clear Water Africa, led by its Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Ryan York, at the Commission’s head office in Accra.
Sharing details of the meeting in a Facebook post, Dr. Sulemana said the discussions centred on improving water quality oversight within the tanker supply chain and deploying innovative technologies to curb water losses.
Among the proposals discussed was the introduction of a District Metered Area (DMA) system, a water management mechanism designed to monitor distribution networks and reduce non-revenue water losses.
A 12-month study conducted by Clear Water Africa reveals a disturbing magnitude of Ghana’s water access challenges.
According to the study, about one million people in Greater Accra continue to rely on informal water sources, including tanker services and boreholes, often paying higher prices for water that comes with limited quality assurance and regulatory oversight.
The findings raise fresh questions about the resilience and reach of Ghana’s formal water distribution system, especially in rapidly expanding urban settlements where demand continues to outpace supply.
Dr. Sulemana said the situation demands collective action rather than isolated interventions.
“Providing safe and affordable water for every Ghanaian requires the involvement of all relevant agencies such as regulators, utilities and innovators alike,” he stated.
He reiterated the PURC’s commitment to facilitating broader engagements involving the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources, Ghana Water Limited, the Water Resources Commission and other stakeholders to advance sustainable solutions.
Clear Water Africa also expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Commission to improve water governance and accountability.
The engagement signals a growing recognition that Ghana’s water challenges can no longer be viewed solely as an infrastructure issue but as a broader development concern requiring data-driven policies, technological innovation and stronger institutional partnerships.
As urban populations continue to rise, experts say bridging the gap between formal and informal water supply systems may prove crucial to guaranteeing safe and affordable water for all citizens.
By: Christian Kpesese
