Ghana Water Limited struggles with GH¢2bn arrears, threatens prosecution

Ghana Water Limited (GWL) is facing significant challenges in its operations due to a substantial GH¢2 billion in arrears owed by consumers. The company's Managing Director, Adam Mutawakilu, revealed that these arrears are largely a result of illegal connections, meter bypassing, billing errors, and outright water theft by certain customers. This has severely impacted the company's ability to operate effectively.

According to Mutawakilu, out of the 220 million gallons of water produced nationwide daily, only 106 million gallons are accounted for. The Managing Director further explained that nearly a third of the unaccounted-for water is lost due to technical issues, including aged pipes and problems within the transmission and distribution network. The company has identified that about 32% of the non-revenue water relates to technical losses.

GWL has intensified its efforts to clamp down on water theft, particularly in urban areas such as Accra. Between August and December 2025, the company uncovered widespread water theft, resulting in losses of more than GH¢5 million. The illegal activities included individuals stealing water through unauthorized connections to the water supply system, as well as businesses being billed under domestic tariffs instead of commercial rates.

The company has so far recovered a little over GH¢1.3 million from the illegal connections identified between August and December. GWL's legal department has begun processes to prosecute offenders, warning that culprits will be taken to court to deter future violations. The company has engaged the National Security to triple the task force team from 3-12 to expedite the detection and clamping down on the theft.

In a related development, GWL in the Eastern Region arranged for 15 defaulting customers to appear in court in a few days. This formed part of the company's large-scale legal campaign to recover more than GH¢32 million owed by long-term defaulters. The debt, the nation's water supply insists, undermines the effectiveness of their operations and improves water service delivery.

The company's regional chief manager, Ing. Paul C. Akpanya, stated that the 15 defaulters fell under Phase One of the campaign, with more rigorous and lawful measures expected to be adopted in the coming days to retrieve the debts. The action also covers individuals and businesses that have opted to rely on alternative water sources, such as boreholes and wells, without settling their outstanding bills.

This is not the first time Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has threatened or taken legal action against defaulters. The company has a history of warning customers and even announcing plans to prosecute defaulters as far back as 2023 and 2024. The company's approach is similar to that of the Bank of Ghana's 'name and shame' approach to promote responsible borrowing among wilful loan defaulters.

Key points

• Ghana Water Limited faces GH¢2bn in arrears, largely due to illegal connections and water theft.
• The company has recovered GH¢1.3 million from illegal connections identified between August and December 2025.
• GWL has engaged the National Security to triple the task force team to expedite the detection and clamping down on water theft.