By Issah Olegor
In a move that has sparked public concern among residents along Accra’s eastern coastal belt, the Ghana Water Limited (GWL) has announced the temporary shutdown of the Teshie-Nungua Desalination Plant, citing unresolved contractual issues and long-standing maintenance lapses as the cause of the suspension.
The decision, according to a statement released by the management of GWL on Tuesday, is aimed at ensuring the safety and efficiency of operations after years of operational strain and disputes over the plant’s management and sustainability model.
A Decade of Operational Struggles
Commissioned in 2015, the $126 million desalination project—then hailed as a groundbreaking solution to Accra’s chronic water shortages—was designed to convert seawater into potable water for over 250,000 residents in Teshie, Nungua, Spintex, Sakumono, La, and adjoining communities.
The plant, built under a public-private partnership agreement between the Government of Ghana and the Spanish firm Befesa Desalination Development Ghana Ltd, was operated on a 25-year Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model.
However, barely three years into operation, the plant became a subject of public debate due to high operational costs and contractual disagreements between Befesa and the Ghana Water Company Limited (now GWL).
In 2018, operations were temporarily suspended for similar reasons, with the government citing financial unsustainability and technical inefficiencies.
Current Shutdown
GWL’s latest announcement confirms that critical maintenance needs and ongoing contractual stalemates have made continued operations untenable.
The management noted that the facility’s systems required “urgent technical interventions” to prevent safety risks and ensure water quality standards are not compromised.
To cushion affected residents, GWL said it has activated emergency water supply measures, including rerouting water from alternative treatment plants and prioritizing supply to essential facilities such as hospitals, schools, and health centres within the affected areas.
“Management of GWL remains committed to delivering safe, reliable, and continuous water supply services to our cherished customers,” the statement read.
“We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused and assure the public that engagements are ongoing to expedite resolution and restore normal operations.”
Public Impact And Assurances
Residents within the affected corridor—especially in Teshie, Nungua, and Spintex—are experiencing intermittent water shortages for the past one month.
The company has assured that updates on the progress of negotiations and restoration timelines will be communicated through GWL’s official website, social media channels, and community information centres.
