{
  "id": 19353246,
  "title": "Government to bear full cost of Teshie desalination plant settlement – PURC",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/10/government-to-bear-full-cost-of-teshie-desalination-plant-settlement",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-10T15:32:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/government-to-bear-full-cost-of-teshie-desalination-plant-settlement-purc/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has announced that the government will assume full responsibility for settling the US$235 million contractual dispute surrounding the Teshie desalination plant. This was revealed by the Executive Secretary of PURC, Dr Shafic Suleman, during an interview on Citi Breakfast Show on November 10. The dispute arose after Ghana Water Limited (GWL), the operator of the plant, terminated a water purchase agreement with the facility's operator, Befesa Desalination Developments Ghana Limited. An arbitration tribunal subsequently ordered GWL to pay the company the substantial sum following the termination.\n\nDuring the negotiations, GWL was initially expected to contribute US$10 million towards the settlement. However, Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson later informed the PURC that the government would bear the entire cost. According to Dr Suleman, they have made every effort to persuade GWL to raise the US$10 million themselves, but it was ultimately decided that the government would cover the entire amount. He expressed optimism that the Finance Minister would make this financial commitment to the company before the end of the year to allow for the reopening of the facility.\n\nTechnically, the desalination plant is ready for operation, and it will be fully transferred to GWL for management once all outstanding matters are resolved. Dr Suleman expressed confidence in the technical capabilities of GWL's workforce but questioned whether the company has the capacity to manage the facility effectively in the long term. The dispute arose due to GWL's decision to terminate its water purchase agreement with Befesa Desalination Developments Ghana Limited, a subsidiary that is 95% owned by the Spanish infrastructure company Cox. The arbitration tribunal issued two final decisions on September 17, directing GWL to pay the US$235 million, with interest accruing since April 1, 2026, until the amount is paid.",
  "summary": "The government is expected to take responsibility for the full cost of settling the contractual dispute involving the Teshie desalination plant, Executive Secretary of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), Dr Shafic Suleman, has said. The disclosure comes after an arbitration tribunal ordered Ghana Water Limited (GWL) to pay US$235 million to Befesa Desalination Developments […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Government to cover full US$235 million settlement for Teshie desalination plant dispute.",
    "Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson confirmed government will bear entire cost before year-end."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "3News",
        "title": "Teshie desalination: Government ready to cover about US$80m settlement to restart plant – PURC",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/10/teshie-desalination-government-ready-to-cover-about-us-80m-settlement",
        "published": "2026-11-10T14:27:47.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}