By Nana Achiaa Aboagye
Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has officially launched a nationwide Revenue Enhancement Drive aimed at addressing the company’s growing financial challenges and improving water service delivery across the country.
Managing Director of Ghana Water Limited, Mr Adam Mutawakilu, described the inauguration of the Revenue Enhancement Teams as a major turning point in the company’s transformation agenda.
“Today is not merely a ceremonial event. It represents a decisive turning point in the transformation of our company,” he said at the official launch.
Mr. Mutawakilu noted that Ghana Water is at a critical stage in its mandate to provide safe, reliable, and affordable potable water to all Ghanaians.
“Water is life. Water is public health. Water is economic productivity,” he stated, adding that while water is a social good, its production and distribution are capital-intensive and require sustainable revenue.
“Without sound revenue, there can be no sustainable service,” he emphasised.
Rising Costs and Production Gaps
The Managing Director outlined major operational and financial challenges confronting the company, including rising costs of treatment chemicals, electricity, fuel, and maintenance, as well as ageing infrastructure prone to frequent leakages and bursts.
He also highlighted production constraints caused by climate variability, pollution, and rapid urbanisation.
“National daily water demand is about 350 million gallons, but our production capacity is only 220 million gallons, leaving a deficit of 130 million gallons every day,” Mr Mutawakilu revealed.
In the Accra–Tema Metropolitan Area alone, daily demand stands at 210 million gallons, while supply remains at 137 million gallons.
Customer Debt and Non-Revenue Water
Mr Mutawakilu expressed concern over rising customer indebtedness, noting that unpaid water bills now run into billions of cedis nationwide.
“When bills are not paid, Ghana Water Limited struggles to purchase chemicals, pay electricity, repair pumps, replace pipes, and extend water services to new communities,” he said.
He further disclosed that Non-Revenue Water currently stands at 52%, largely due to illegal connections, meter bypassing, billing irregularities, and leakages.
“Every illegal connection turns treated water into zero revenue. This situation is simply unsustainable,” he warned.
Digital Solutions and Enforcement
The Managing Director said the company has invested significantly in digital systems to make billing and payment easier, more transparent, and convenient for customers.
“Paying your water bill should be convenient, transparent, and stress-free,” he noted.
According to him, pilot Revenue Enhancement Teams previously deployed uncovered hundreds of illegal connections and recovered millions of cedis in outstanding revenue.
“These results show both the scale of the problem and the effectiveness of targeted intervention,” he said.
Ten Teams Deployed Nationwide
Building on the success of the pilot phase, Ghana Water has expanded the initiative to ten fully operational Revenue Enhancement Teams across the country.
“These are not punitive teams. They are corrective, protective, and supportive. We seek compliance, not confrontation,” Mr Mutawakilu explained.
The teams will focus on revenue collection, debt recovery, detection of illegal connections, meter verification, customer education, and reducing Non-Revenue Water.
Call for Public Support
Mr Mutawakilu appealed to customers to support the initiative by paying their bills promptly and engaging the company to resolve challenges.
“Every cedi collected supports chemicals, electricity, maintenance, network expansion, and service improvement,” he said.
A New Chapter for Ghana Water
In his closing remarks, the Managing Director described the inauguration as the beginning of a new chapter for Ghana Water Limited—one focused on accountability, efficiency, and service excellence.
“Together, we will build a financially strong, customer-focused, and resilient Ghana Water Limited capable of delivering safe water to every Ghanaian,” he said.
He then formally inaugurated the Revenue Enhancement Teams, committing the company to sustainable water service delivery for present and future generations.
