Residents of Community 25 near Tema in the Kpone Katamanso Municipality of the Greater Accra Region are facing a severe water crisis, with many households going without a reliable water supply for months or even up to a year. The situation has become particularly troubling following repair works announced by the Ghana Water Limited on the community's pipelines. Despite paying for a dedicated water line, residents have not received a single drop of water through their dedicated line since the repairs were completed about two months ago.
Eric Martey, an executive member of the Community 25 Residents Association, expressed concern over the situation, warning that the shortage poses more than just an inconvenience, particularly because several major installations and fuel storage facilities are located in the area. He noted that all fire hydrants in the community are dry, raising fears about the potential consequences of a fire outbreak. Mr. Martey emphasized that the situation is alarming, describing it as a "tinderbox" that could have devastating consequences if there was insufficient water to fight a fire.
According to Mr. Martey, residents had engaged Ghana Water Limited over the shortage, including a meeting on September 14, after earlier attempts to secure an appointment allegedly received no response. During the meeting, Ghana Water officials cited inadequate water pressure as a reason for the failure to supply Community 25. However, Mr. Martey questioned this explanation, noting that nearby communities, such as Communities 1, 2, and 3, reportedly continue to receive a regular supply despite being farther from the Ashaiman booster station.
The residents' association executive also raised allegations of possible interference with the community's water supply, claiming that some Ghana Water workers may have interests in water-tanker businesses and could be shutting valves to maintain demand for tanker services. Additionally, Mr. Martey alleged that water lines serving bottled-water producers in the area had been tapped, raising questions about whether water intended for residents was being diverted.
The prolonged shortage has forced residents to depend heavily on water tankers, but Mr. Martey expressed concerns about the quality of water being supplied. He recounted an incident involving water purchased from a tanker that turned green after being stored for three days, leaving residents worried about the safety of the water they are being forced to rely on. This situation has left residents frustrated and increasingly dependent on tanker operators for their daily water needs.
Households in Community 25 now have to place orders and wait for deliveries, with some receiving water the following day while others may have to wait for up to two days. Mr. Martey appealed to the authorities to intervene immediately to restore a reliable water supply to Community 25 and address the concerns raised by residents. He described the situation as exhausting and frustrating, emphasizing that residents cannot continue to live like this.
The Community 25 Residents Association is calling for urgent action to resolve the water crisis, which has become a major headache for residents. With the situation showing no signs of improvement, residents are eagerly awaiting intervention from the authorities to restore a reliable water supply and alleviate their suffering. The crisis has highlighted the need for a sustainable solution to ensure that residents have access to safe and clean water.
Key points
- Residents of Community 25 have been without a reliable water supply for months or even up to a year, despite paying for a dedicated water line.
