Water crisis hits Accra: Residents, businesses struggle to cope

Residents in the Greater Accra Region are frustrated. They face ongoing water supply challenges. These issues disrupt daily life and increase living costs, especially for businesses.

In areas like Leisure Street in Nungua, the impact is severe. Food vendors and small business owners must buy water from private sellers at high prices. Patience Dugboe shared her experience: “Taps can cease to flow for over one month. When the flow returns, it is unstable. We spend at least GHS 30 daily on water, which hurts our profits.”

Large water storage containers are common in these communities. Residents scramble to store water whenever it becomes available. Some households have gone nearly a month without running water.

Ghana Water Limited (GWL) blames the erratic supply on a rationing program. They cite limitations in treatment plants that can't meet Accra's growing demand. In central neighborhoods like Tudu, the situation is also dire.

A retailer named Auntie Becky described her struggles with supply issues: “I sell water, but it flows only once a month. I can't fill my polytank for selling or personal use.” She also mentioned paying bills for non-flowing water.

Students living in hostels are affected too. Their daily routines have been disrupted by unreliable access to water. A follow-up visit showed slight improvements in some areas but many still face shortages.

In Peace Bee, Tema Community 25, residents battle severe shortages. Vivian Kumordzie said her household has had no water for three months: “The last time we bought from a truck, it cost GHS 1100 and lasted only three weeks.” Simple chores have become burdensome.

Ghana Water Limited urges residents to store available water: “Everybody must have storage,” said Nana Yaw Barima Barnie, Communications Manager for GWL in Accra East. He emphasized that having enough storage helps during inconsistent supply days.