The Managing Director of Ghana Water Limited (GWL), Adam Mutawakilu, has revealed that the company requires more than ₵3.5 billion ($356 million) to replace the country’s ageing water transmission pipelines.

He did not mince words, admitting the figure is far beyond GWL's current financial capacity.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Joy Super Morning Show, Mr Mutawakilu explained that many of Ghana’s major transmission lines are old, weak and operating below capacity, making efficient water distribution difficult.

According to him, the estimated $356 million needed to overhaul the system dwarfs the utility’s annual earnings.

“For example, we make almost 1.8 billion cedis — that’s about 100 to 150 million dollars for the whole year. This is the whole amount, not taking salaries or maintenance into account,” he said, adding that the company is, therefore, “not in good shape” to fund such a large-scale replacement.

His remarks come amid recurring water shortages in Accra and parts of the Greater Accra Region, which have raised public concerns over infrastructure planning and investment.

Mr Mutawakilu noted that ageing treatment plants, deteriorating pipelines and limited revenue have combined to constrain the utility’s ability to meet growing demand driven by population growth.

He stressed that water losses and inconsistent supply, especially in urban areas, are largely linked to failing transmission lines rather than just the number of treatment plants. 

He urged policymakers to prioritise capital investment in both water production and distribution systems, warning that delays could lead to worsening service disruptions.

“Water is essential for life and development. We must match infrastructure investment with our population growth, or these challenges will continue to escalate,” he said.