The Minister for Works, Housing, and Water Resources, Hon. Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, has charged the newly inaugurated Board of Directors of Ghana Water Limited (GWCL) to ensure efficient water supply in the country. Citing the current population growth of about 32 million, he admonished them to ensure that water supply is adequate to meet the demand of the population.
He stressed that the current rapid urbanization has mounted pressure on urban water supply systems than it used to be. Saying that cities such as Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, Tamale and Cape Coast are growing rapidly with increased demand for reliable and safe water supply.
Hon Adjei indicated that the Board’s ability to achieve efficient water supply will be dependent on performing their leadership role effectively. Adding that, the effectiveness of their leadership will be measured beyond financial performance, but rather impacting lives positively.
“Your responsibility involves overseeing the management and strategic direction of an organization whose success will be evaluated not only through financial performance, but also by the positive impact on lives, disease prevention, business support and a secured future,” he said.
The Minister highlighted the challenges facing the water sector, including aging infrastructure, high levels of non-revenue water, and limited capital investment. However, he expressed confidence that with the right leadership, the right investment, and the right governance frameworks, these challenges can be overcome.
Touching on their distinctive role, the Minister urged the Board to focus on their strategic role of providing oversight responsibility and independence required to uphold accountability.
“As Board Members, your role is not to micromanage the Company nor involve yourself in the day-to-day administration of the company, but rather to provide strategic direction, ensure robust risk management, promote innovation and safeguard the public interest”, he stated.
He outlined some key performance indicators for the Board, including reducing Non-Revenue Water from 50.55% to 30% by 2028, increasing Urban Water Coverage to 95% of the populace by 2028, and improving Revenue Collection Efficiency to 98%. These he said, can be achieved when they act with integrity, manage with discipline, and govern with transparency.
He, therefore, assured them of the Ministry’s commitment to supporting the Board by providing the necessary policy environment and engaging in active dialogue to ensure that their tenure is productive and impactful.
The Board Chairman, Mr. Eric Biliguo, on behalf of the Board accepted the Minister’s performance expectations and assured that they will work tirelessly to ensure that all the expectations are achieved and safe water is adequately supplied to Ghanaians.
“With the management of Ghana Water and the workforce, we should be able to deliver all these KPI’s before the year 2027”, he said.
