The Ashanti Region is struggling with a significant water crisis following the Ghana Water Company Limited’s (GWCL) decision to shut down all major treatment plants in protest of the alleged unauthorized demolition of company properties by private developers.
The protest was triggered by the demolition of fence walls and boys’ quarters at the residences of two senior managers in Kumasi’s Ridge Residential Area. The GWCL workers accused private developers purportedly backed by political figures of unlawfully encroaching on and demolishing company owned properties. GWCL workers initiated a strike leading to the suspension of water supply operations across the region. This action left residents without access to water for several days, which caused significant disruptions and forcing many to seek alternative water sources.
Following interventions from GWCL management and appeals from key stakeholders, the workers agreed to suspend their strike after a series of discussions aimed at resolving their grievances. The suspension of the strike has allowed water supply to resume, providing much-needed relief to affected customers across the region.
The situation has highlighted the challenges faced by public utility companies in protecting their properties from unauthorized encroachments and the impact such disputes can have on essential services. The GWCL workers have called on authorities including the President and the Asantehene to intervene and prevent further encroachments on the company’s properties. As the region recovers from the water crisis, there is a growing call for a comprehensive review of property rights and enforcement mechanisms to ensure that public utility services are not disrupted by similar disputes in the future.
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