Water shortage: A 70-year-old widow’s tragedy, horrors she faces on her land over GWCL’s ill treatment

A 70-year-old widow who wishes to be nameless and resides in Weija has bemoaned the severe consequences the Ghana Water Company Limited’s (GWCL) operations have caused her.

This follows a significant reaction against the GWCL as a result of the severe water scarcity that is still plaguing portions of Accra. The shortfall is ascribed to a variety of problems, such as equipment malfunctions, increased demand, regular maintenance, and unanticipated events. The elderly woman lives in a private home next to the Awoshie Barnyard Waterworks, which serves as a vital supply hub for Dansoman, Gbawe, Weija, Anyaa, Lapaz, Darkuman, and the neighboring villages. This is where the issue is concentrated.

She closed she is often afraid since her land is home to vital GWCL pipelines, making it a dangerous place to be. The widow said she filed a lawsuit after finding the pipes on her property without permission or prior notification.

The widow informed Nimatu that she was entitled to compensation after winning her case at the Accra High Court, but that money had not arrived after many years. As a result, the old pipes start to corrode and rupture all the time, forcing the GWCL to dig holes on her property in order to fix them.

Unfortunately, she said, these trenches are frequently left empty, which encourages infestations by insects and reptiles.

“The land is mine. It’s not for Ghana Water Company. I sued GWCL at the Accra High Court and won a judgement against them. The court ruled that they compensate me, but has since not done that. I’m a 70-year-old lady. I can’t keep fighting them. They’ve dug huge pits which has become a breeding place for insects and reptiles.

“It’s really affecting my health due to constant malaria symptoms. The dugouts have also turned into death traps as children fall into the pit but for the intervention of Ghana police who are always at our beck and call to save these innocent people. My room is filled with water oozing from the ground so now, I sleep outside. I’m really suffering,” she lamented.

The widow stated that her attempts to get the GWCL to buy her property and house in an effort to find a long-term solution had been ineffective, placing her in a dangerous predicament. Beyond just the widow’s suffering, the community as a whole is impacted by GWCL’s inaction on the pipe problems.

“I am pleading with all. I am willing to sell my property to Ghana Water Company so they can fix the pipes. Constant escavator digging my land has created cracks on my building. Other areas such as Awoshie, Lapaz, Gbawe are unable to access water and it’s flowing here freely,” she added. Some residents and water tanker drivers flock to the widow’s land for free-flowing water, exacerbating shortages in other parts of Accra.