The Association of Small Town Water Systems has asked the government to settle outstanding arrears owed to members after providing water services for nearly a year.

They responded to President Akufo-Addo’s directive to provide free water under the COVID-19 relief packages, but the water providers in rural communities say they have received only GH₵10 million of the GH₵24.8 million due them.   

The first tranche of arrears was disbursed to the suppliers last year after members of the association submitted data to the Community Water and Sanitation Agency on the water distributed free to communities in the peak of Covid-19 lockdowns.

The group was contracted by the Ministry of Water and Sanitation, through the Community Water and Sanitation Agency.

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Nana Adjei Manu Berchie, Board Chairman for Japeikrom Water Systems in the Bono region and Executive member of the association, has been leading the charge in demanding the payment of arrears.

He explains that data submitted for the next payment have been forwarded to the Financial Controller and Accountant General at the Ministry of Finance for his approval, but they are yet to be reimbursed.

“We know the financial situation in the country, but we need our money. Whether there is money or not, we must be paid to supply water. We are pleading with the Minister to make sure the Controller and Accountant General pays us,” he said.

Water suppliers in close to 700 towns nationwide were paid at least half of the money owed them, but have not received the top-up.

In an interview with Luv FM’s Emmanuel Bright Quaicoe, Nana Berchie said a number of the water providers have shut down as a result of the delayed payment.

According to him, water supply in some rural communities hangs by a thread as suppliers are unable to sustain their businesses.

He says the businesses are saddled with huge loans.

“Majority of the systems have been closed down because they’ve lost their pumps, burdened with electricity costs. They are struggling to pay their staff. We had to go for loans to absorb the water we gave freely,” he said.

Nana Berchie further indicated that funds meant for expansion works were diverted to pay electricity bills and service faulty pumps, among others. 

He warns of an imminent threat to public health in rural communities.

“If the water systems break down, people in some communities are not going to get potable water to drink. The monies are expected to buy certain chemicals to purify drinking water. Consequently, there could be an outbreak of water-borne diseases,” he said.

Managers of community water supplies in Kuntenase, Boanim, and Ankaase in the Ashanti region say they are individually owed at least GH₵140,000 each.

“Our pump developed faults, but someone assisted us with some amounts of money before we were able to repair it. The Electricity Company of Ghana is also demanding that we pay our bills of about GH₵80,000. If the government fails to pay those arrears, we are not going to sustain the system as we head towards the dry season,” Emmanuel Oppong, Board Chair of Boanim Water Supply unit said.