GWCL Ashanti Region Defends Property Rights, Threatens Renewed Strike Action

The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) in the Ashanti Region is engaged in a tense standoff with private developers over a property earmarked for demolition at the Ridge Residential Area in Kumasi. GWCL workers are vehemently asserting their company’s ownership of the land, claiming it has been in their possession for over five decades, and vowing to resist any attempts to seize it.

This dispute led to a three-day disruption of water services in the Ashanti Region as GWCL workers shut down operations in protest of the demolition of structures on the land claimed by the water company. The disruption caused significant hardship for water consumers, forcing many to search for alternative water sources.

Following a meeting with GWCL management, however, the workers temporarily suspended their strike action. This decision, according to Ing. Dr. Hadisu Alhassan, the workers’ representative on the GWCL board, was based on management’s assurances to address the issues surrounding the illegal demolitions and to secure the threatened property. The union specifically highlighted management’s swift response to the situation and commitment to pursuing justice for the illegal demolition of the Chief Managers’ residence and escalating threats against GWCL properties.

Despite the temporary suspension, the workers issued a clear warning: any further encroachment or attempts to seize the property will result in a renewed boycott of services. Ing. Dr. Alhassan emphasized that the suspension is contingent on management’s ability to resolve the underlying grievances.

Adding complexity to the issue, JoyNews investigations reveal that the property in question is part of approximately 200 bungalows situated on 400 acres of land in the Ridge Residential Area, a portion of which the government transferred to the Asantehene in 2022. However, GWCL workers assert they received no formal communication regarding the relocation of these properties, nor were they involved in negotiations with the Lands Commission concerning the land dispute. This lack of consultation and notification raises concerns about transparency and due process.

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has weighed in on the situation, advising GWCL to utilize established channels to resolve the conflict without imposing further hardship on water consumers. Until a lasting solution is found, the Ashanti Region remains vulnerable to further disruptions in water supply, highlighting the urgent need for a swift and equitable resolution to this land dispute. The impasse underscores the serious challenges facing GWCL in safeguarding its assets and ensuring uninterrupted water services to its consumers.