NGOs/Civil Society kick against water privatisation

Takoradi, Oct. 24, GNA - The National Coalition Against Privatisation of Water, made up of non-governmental and civil society organisations, on Friday called on the government to take critical look at its decision to privatise the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL).

The call was made on behalf of the Coalition by a member, Mr Alhassan Adam, at a public forum organised by the Coalition in Takoradi. He said privatisation of the company would not be in the best interest of the country because people cannot afford the high tariffs that would be charged by any multinational company that takes over.

Mr Adam said multinational companies were profit motivated and they could only make returns by increasing tariffs at the disadvantage of the poor and rural people.

He said the result of this could be increase in communicable diseases especially guinea worm infections.

Mr Adam said the Community Water and Sanitation Agency has virtually collapsed, thereby, depriving rural communities potable water. He suggested to the government to give the GWCL the necessary support for it to deliver good services to the public.

Participants at the forum urged the government to allow multinational companies to operate alongside the GWCL instead of privatising the company.