‘We inherited over GHC1 billion in debt from the previous government’ – Ghana Water MD

The Managing Director of Ghana Water Limited (GWL), Adam Mutawakilu, has painted a grim picture of the company’s financial and operational health, revealing a massive inherited debt burden alongside alarming levels of water loss and a significant supply deficit in the capital.

Speaking on the RV3’s Hot Issues programme with Keminni Amanor on Sunday, May 18, 2025, Mr. Mutawakilu disclosed the extent of the company’s liabilities, stating, “We inherited over GHC1 billion in debt from the previous government.”

He added that settling this debt would be a lengthy process, estimating, “We will take about three years to settle our debts without expenditure.”

Beyond the financial strain, Mr. Mutawakilu highlighted the staggering amount of water lost daily. As of December 2024, a staggering 52 percent of water produced by GWL – an equivalent of over 150 million gallons daily – goes unaccounted for.

This Non-Revenue Water (NRW) is lost primarily through physical leakages in the aging distribution network and widespread illegal connections. “As of December 2024, 52 percent of water production, equivalent to over 150 million gallons, is untraceable through physical leakages or illegal tracing,” he revealed.

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The MD also pointed to a severe production shortfall in the Greater Accra Region, where demand far outstrips current supply.

According to him, Accra requires an estimated 220 million gallons of water daily, but GWL is only able to produce 140 million gallons, leaving an 80 million gallon deficit. “We have a production shortfall because the demand for Accra is 220 million gallons, but we produce 140. Meaning we are not able to meet the demand of Ghanaians in Accra,” he explained.

Mr. Mutawakilu stressed the urgent need for a comprehensive national strategy to tackle water losses, invest in modern infrastructure and technology, and protect water sources to secure Ghana’s water future against growing demand and environmental threats.

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