Water Privatisation Faces Cancellation

Government officials working on the urban water privatization process are reviewing their operational mandate after government failed to attract the multi-million dollar private investment needed to implement the urban water reform programme.

Subsequently, a team of World Bank experts are currently in the country studying the water reform proposals and their report is expected to enable government to access concessionary loans to execute the programme itself.

Deputy Finance Minister designate, Dr Akoto Osei told the Business and Financial Times newspaper that the short-listed private investors’ failure to commit their funds into the water sector as expected has forced government to seek concessionary loans to fulfill its mandate.

Though government has not yet announced a change in policy, it will retain its role as the manager in urban water provision and the revision is expected to make Ghana Water Company Limited to stay fully in control of urban water since government will remain the sole investor.