Ghana Water Limited (GWL) has disconnected water supply to the Adwoa Wangara Apartments, located in Cantonments, following revelations of an illegal connection that dates back to the facility’s construction. The unauthorized use of water has resulted in substantial financial losses for the utility provider.
According to Nana Yaw Barnie, Regional Communications Manager for the Accra East region of GWL, the action follows a tip-off alleging that the luxury apartment complex had been using water unlawfully. A subsequent investigation by GWL confirmed the malpractice. “We visited the premises to verify the report, and our inspection proved beyond doubt that there was an illegal connection,” Mr. Barnie stated. “What is more alarming is that since the apartment was built, they have never received a water bill from us because they claimed to rely solely on a borehole.”
However, GWL’s technical team discovered a different reality. “They took us to see their supposed borehole infrastructure. We identified the borehole lines and shut them off. But there was a second line, connected through a stopcock. When we opened it, clean water from our mains started flowing — clear evidence that they had tapped into our system illegally,” he explained.
What makes this case particularly striking is that it wasn’t a mere bypass or tampered meter — there was no record of the facility being a legitimate customer at all. “This was a complete and deliberate illegal connection,” Mr. Barnie stressed.
Mr. Barnie further revealed that the apartment complex has a large reservoir into which water is stored for residents’ use. During the inspection, GWL officials decided to take additional steps to confirm their suspicions. “We disconnected the suspected supply line from the main,” he explained. “Then we returned to the reservoir area — and the water flow had stopped completely. That was definitive proof.”
He added, “This clearly confirms that Adwoa Wangara Apartments in Cantonments had illegally connected to the Ghana Water Limited network and had been using our water freely — profiting from it without paying a single pesewa. It’s an unacceptable practice that deprives the nation of vital revenue.”
The Regional Communications Manager also issued a stern warning to staff who may have had knowledge of the illegal water connection, stressing that Ghana Water Limited (GWL) will not tolerate any form of complicity or misconduct. “The company will not condone such practices. Any staff found to be involved, or who aided in concealing this theft, will face immediate dismissal and be handed over to the appropriate authorities,” he stated firmly.
He further indicated that GWL will report the incident to law enforcement agencies for thorough investigation and possible prosecution, adding that the utility is committed to upholding accountability and protecting public resources.
GWL has since disconnected the unauthorized line and is exploring further legal action to recover lost revenue and prevent future infractions. The company has also reiterated its commitment to tracking and penalizing illegal connections, which undermine its operations and deprive the nation of critical water infrastructure funding.
As part of a broader effort, GWL is urging the public to report suspicious water usage in their communities and warning facilities engaging in similar practices that detection is only a matter of time. The utility company uncovered nearly 1,500 illegal connections across its 12 operational districts between the last quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025.
As part of its response, GWL has announced plans to prosecute individuals involved in these illicit activities. GWL also emphasized that illegal water connections not only threaten the utility’s operations but also deny entire communities their right to safe drinking water.
