Residents of the Kpone-Katamanso Municipality in the Greater Accra Region are grappling with an intensifying water crisis, following an indefinite sit-down strike declared by the Kpone-Katamanso Water Suppliers Union of Ghana. The strike was triggered by a sudden and unexplained shutdown of several major water supply points in the municipality—an action ordered without prior consultation or explanation.
More than 200 tanker drivers and their assistants, who serve as the primary suppliers of clean water to the area, have parked their vehicles and suspended operations in protest of what they describe as a “frustrating and unacceptable” development. For years, these tankers have been the lifeline for many communities in Kpone-Katamanso, which lacks a piped water system.
The affected communities include Kubekrom No. 1 and 2, Appolonia, Abiola, New York, Kingdom City, Peaceland, and other surrounding towns. With the tanker drivers now on strike, residents have been left stranded, with no access to clean drinking water or water for domestic use.
According to the union, the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) issued a letter indicating that the water points had been shut down following directives “from above,” but failed to offer any further clarification. This has sparked outrage among the suppliers, who say they were not consulted or informed about the reasons behind the closures.
Mr. Adom, the Public Relations Officer of the Kpone-Katamanso Water Suppliers Union, spoke to journalists and expressed the union’s deep disappointment at the lack of transparency and communication from the authorities.
“This is not just a disruption—it’s a complete disregard for the people who depend on us daily,” he stated. “We have been left in the dark. If nothing is done to resolve this, we will hit the streets in full force to demonstrate.”
Union Chairman, Mr. Christopher Koley, also did not mince words, accusing the government of undermining local entrepreneurship. He stressed that the closure is affecting thousands of livelihoods, particularly in a country already struggling with unemployment.
“Many of us invested in water tankers to create jobs and support our families,” Mr. Koley said. “Now, those jobs are being destroyed with no explanation. This is not what the government promised. We were told to create jobs for ourselves—so why shut down what little we’ve managed to build?”
The consequences of the strike are already being felt across the municipality. In some low-income areas, desperate residents have begun resorting to unsafe water sources such as dams and streams for washing and other household needs. Public health experts have raised alarms, warning that if the situation persists, it could lead to outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid.
Health authorities in the area are closely monitoring developments and have urged residents to boil or treat any water collected from non-potable sources, especially for drinking and cooking.
The Water Suppliers Union is demanding an immediate restoration of the closed water access points and a formal dialogue involving GWCL, government representatives, and local stakeholders to address the municipality’s persistent water infrastructure challenges.
“We are not asking for too much,” Mr. Adom said. “We are simply asking for respect, for communication, and for access to continue serving our communities.”
As the standoff continues, frustration grows among residents who are calling on the government to act swiftly to resolve the issue and restore a basic necessity that many in Kpone-Katamanso can no longer take for granted—clean, safe water.
