GWL engages Agbogbloshie community on water services in Accra

The Accra East Region of the Ghana Water Company (GWL) recently held a meeting with residents of Agbogbloshie, located in the Accra Central District, to discuss water services and address community concerns. The event aimed to improve communication between residents and the water company, as well as promote responsible water usage.

During the meeting, officials from the Accra East Region, including the Regional Public Relations Manager Nana Yaw Barima Barnie and the Accra Central District Manager Winifred Esinam Agbolosoo, engaged with community members. They emphasized the importance of water as a valuable resource and encouraged residents to pay their water bills on time while discouraging illegal connections. GWL assured those with disconnected services that reconnection was possible upon proof of full payment.

Community members shared their experiences with water supply issues, such as the presence of illegal 'spaghetti lines' where multiple pipes are seen in gutters and other unhygienic locations. They also raised concerns about commercial water facilities, known as showers, which are often owned by individuals not residing in the community. These facilities sometimes have billing issues, as the companies send bills directly to the owners, not the actual managers.

In response to these concerns, GWL officials committed to improving communication with both owners and managers of such facilities by providing billing information through the registered contact numbers of responsible parties. Additionally, the company introduced electronic payment and billing systems, which would offer a more accurate assessment of consumption and enhance accountability between the company and its customers.

Although some residents expressed concerns about potential bill increases due to metering, GWL officials explained that meters would ensure more precise billing and better service management.