The New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) are at odds over the Ghana Water Company Limited's (GWCL) admission that a 24/7 water supply remains unattainable, even with the new tariff structure.
The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has made it clear that while it will strive to maintain water flow across the country, Ghanaians should not expect a continuous supply of water under the newly approved 15.92% tariff. This increase, sanctioned by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), is deemed insufficient to support the necessary investments for uninterrupted water service.
In a recent appearance on PM Express, GWCL's Communications Manager, Stanley Martey, expressed concerns about the sustainability of operations with the current tariff. He stated, “The new tariff is far too little to sustain the level of investment required to guarantee uninterrupted water.” Martey pointed out that even the PURC acknowledges the inadequacy of this increment, which was intended to balance affordability with operational needs.
Martey emphasized the challenges faced by GWCL, noting that years of tariff cuts have severely hampered both operational capabilities and investment opportunities. “Yes, it is true. It is woefully inadequate, but we will have to work and ensure that we serve our consumers efficiently,” he remarked, highlighting the difficulty in managing operations and making necessary investments.
The Communications Manager further explained that the PURC routinely reduces the adjustments GWCL requires, leaving the company without the funds needed to expand treatment plants, replace aging pipelines, or maintain existing systems. This situation is exacerbated by rising costs associated with pollution from illegal mining activities, known as galamsey.
When asked about the feasibility of maintaining water supply with the new tariff, Martey was candid: “For now, we have admitted every time that there’s a gap between demand and supply.” He stressed that bridging this gap requires significant investments in infrastructure, including new treatment plants and extended pipelines, which are capital-intensive endeavors.
Martey concluded with a sobering reality check for Ghanaians: “We will try to keep taps running, but it can’t be 24/7. Let’s admit that we can only keep the taps on 24/7 when we have built new treatment plants and extended pipelines. This tariff cannot do that.” Until the funding gap is addressed, GWCL will implement strict demand-management measures to ration the limited water available in the system.
The Minority in Parliament has slammed the government’s recent utility tariff increases, calling for the immediate withdrawal of what they describe as punitive and unjustified hikes that will worsen the economic conditions of Ghanaians.
This comes in response to the recent announcement by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), which approved a 9.86 percent increase in electricity tariffs and a 15.92 percent rise in water tariffs effective January 1, 2026, as part of its multi-year review from 2026 to 2030.
Additionally, Dr. Ken Tweneboa Kodua, Vice Chair of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), has condemned the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) for announcing electricity and water tariff increases without exhausting negotiations with organised labour.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Monday, December 8, Dr Kodua described the process as incomplete and disrespectful, revealing that the TUC had been working to establish a fair and realistic tariff structure for its members and that the decision taken by the PURC must be questioned.
He further stressed that the premature announcement of tariffs undermines the collaborative efforts between PURC and TUC, noting that such unilateral decisions could erode trust and compromise future engagement between the regulatory body and organised labour.
Comments