An extreme water crisis has plagued the Greater Kumasi Metropolis, with households struggling to access water following the cessation of services by Ghana Water Limited employees.
Residents are devoting productive hours in quest of the commodity for domestic and business purposes.
Ghana Water Limited in the Ashanti area suspended operations on Friday in protest at the demolition of homes and property in the Ridge Residential Area, which they claim to own.
Residents in the Greater Kumasi Metropolis who rely completely on Ghana water supply have been desperately searching for water over the last three days.
Water shortage hits Kumasi as GWCL shuts operations in protest of demolished property
The taps in their various residences have stopped working.
Checks by JoyNews in certain neighborhoods, like Kumasi’s Atonsu enclave, revealed that many inhabitants rely on wells and other underground water sources for their daily needs.
“I went to get water from a well that is a little far from my house. It hasn’t been easy finding water in the last few days,” Akwasi Addai informed the news team.
As the dry season begins, water becomes increasingly important for a variety of household and commercial tasks.
However, its scarcity makes it difficult for food suppliers to meet demand.
“We need water to wash the yams before frying them. We use it for a variety of reasons when cooking for guests. Sarah, a yam vendor, stated, “It makes our work neat.”
Background
Ghana Water Limited in Ashanti has ceased operations in protest over what they call “unlawful” demolition of a property they claim to own.
A private developer removed the fences from two properties used by their top managers.
“We recently observed the unnecessary removal of two Directors’ fence walls in their Bungalows and Boys Quarters, raising severe concerns about the procedures and respect that should govern our activities. Emmanuel Okpoti, Vice Chair of the Senior Staff Association of Ghana Water Limited in Ashanti, stated that these properties are more than just structures; they represent our leadership’s hard work, dedication, and commitment to this company.
However, JoyNews investigations showed that the tenants of 200 bungalows on the Asantehene’s 400 acres of land will be transferred to freshly erected ones.
The land, we’re told, was offered as collateral to private developers entrusted with building bungalows for government organizations affected by the retainment.
According to Mr. Okpoti, the impacted houses are critical to the city’s functioning water distribution system.
He claims they are not backing down on their demands.
“If we give in, they will just take away all of our facilities. How can we supply water if we don’t have the space to expand?” He said.
Water scarcity affects the majority of dwellings in the Ashanti region.
However, innocent water users desire an amicable conclusion to the standoff that relieves them of their burden.
“We are pleading with them to resolve their issues so that we can have access to water for our chores,” Derrick, an Atonsu barber, explained.
Until then, families must face the daily struggle for water, particularly when the dry season sets in.
