The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) is facing mounting criticism and community outrage as residents in parts of Accra grapple with severe water shortages due to a combination of factors, including faulty equipment, increased demand, routine maintenance works, and some unforeseen circumstances.
The unprecedented water shortage crisis in Accra can be attributed to a series of unforeseen circumstances, with the most alarming one being a private residence located near the Awoshie Barnyard Waterworks, where massive GWCL pipes run underground, serving as a vital distribution point for Dansoman, Gbawe, Weija, Anyaa, Lapaz, Darkuman, and other areas.
Among the hardest hit by this water crisis is a 70-year-old widow (whose identity has been concealed for now) who finds herself living in fear as her home has become a death trap, largely due to the mysterious placement of GWCL pipes on her land.
The widow, whose land these pipes run through, was left in a state of shock when these pipes were laid without prior notice or consent.
In a bid to seek justice, the widow took her case to the Accra High Court, where she eventually won. The court ruled that GWCL should compensate her for the use of her land, but this compensation has yet to be received by the widow several years after she secured judgment in that landmark decision.
The situation worsens when the aging pipes consistently rust and burst, leading GWCL to send heavy equipment to dig pits in the widow’s land for repairs. However, these pits are often left unfilled, creating a breeding ground for insects and reptiles. The police and other law enforcement authorities have had to intervene on several occasions to rescue individuals who accidentally fall into these pits, and the stagnant water in them has been a breeding ground for mosquitoes, leading to health issues for the widow and her family.
The constant activities of GWCL on the widow’s land have also caused cracks and structural damage to her home. The latest incident, which is currently at its peak, involves yet another pipe burst, flooding the widow’s property. This has left her terrified, as her home is no longer safe due to cracks in the building and water seeping from the ground.
Desperate for a resolution, the widow, through her lawyer, has attempted to persuade GWCL to purchase her land and home so that she can move on with her life. Regrettably, these efforts have been in vain, leaving the widow trapped in an increasingly perilous situation.
The repercussions of GWCL’s failure to fully address and repair the pipes have been devastating, resulting in ongoing water shortages in Accra. To permanently fix the pipes, it is essential to secure the entire land, as the current state of affairs poses a weekly risk of pipe bursts.
The impact of this crisis extends beyond the widow’s ordeal. It is now affecting the wider community, as residents and water tanker drivers flock to the widow’s land to access the free-flowing water, while other areas in Accra remain parched.
The widow, who should be enjoying her twilight years in peace, is instead living in fear, experiencing both physical and emotional distress. The trauma caused by the incessant activities of GWCL has taken a severe toll on her health.