By Albert Allotey, GNA
Accra, Nov. 04, GNA – The Ghana Water Justice Network (GWJN) has expressed grave concern over the financial consequences of the Teshie-Nungua Desalination Project.
It therefore called on the government to halt further water privatisation initiatives pending a comprehensive review of water-sector Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
The GWJN said the Teshie-Nungua Desalination Project had demonstrated the danger of arrangements that exposed the State and water consumers to substantial financial risks without corresponding public value.
The GWJN made the call in a joint statement read at a press conference organised by the Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC), Revenue Mobilisation Africa (RMA), Water Citizens Network, Africa Water Justice Network, HELP Foundation Africa, Fisheries Alliance, and supported by Tax Justice Network Africa, African Tax Forum, and the Tax Justice Coalition.
The press conference was on the theme, “Reclaiming Africa’s Water Future: Public Water for All Press Conference” and the topic was on the Teshie-Nungua Desalination Plant: Matters Arising.
It was organised in line with the Africa Week of Action Against Water Privatisation 2026. The Africa Week of Action Against Water Privatisation is a campaign which is sponsored by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA).
The campaign seeks to call on African governments to desist from water privatisation.
The statement was read by Mr Geoffrey Kabutey Ocansey, Executive Director, RMA, and supported by Mr Leonard Shang-Quartey, Africa Water Justice Network Coordinator and Mr Bernard Anaba, Head of Programmes, ISODEC.
The statement said during the Teshie-Nungua Desalination Project concerns were raised over several years, stating that the Teshie Concerned Citizens Association questioned the taste, salinity and acceptability of water from the plant.
“ISODEC, Water Citizens and the Public Utility Workers’ Union (PUWU) highlighted financial and technical risks, including the burden on Ghana Water and the need to consider potentially cheaper alternatives, among others, which were ignored.
The statement said the consequences of flawed water-sector contracts must not be passed on to households through higher water tariffs, adding, “Water is essential to health, dignity and livelihoods.
“Its affordability, quality and universal accessibility must take precedence over private financial returns. Accountability for this project should not become a partisan exercise; it must establish what went wrong and prevent recurrence,” it said.
The statement demanded that the government suspend further water privatisation and comparable high-risk PPP commitments pending an independent policy review.
It should also disclose the Water Purchase Agreement, amendments, State Guarantee and material arbitration findings, subject to legitimate legal limits; commission an independent public-interest investigation and hold proven wrongdoing accountable.
The statement called for the prevention of recovery of the arbitration-related liability through water-tariff increases imposed specifically on consumers and that government should publish independent assessments of the proposed acquisition and submit its fiscal implications to Parliament and relevant oversight institutions.
It urged the State to prioritize public investment, accountable management of Ghana Water, infrastructure maintenance, operational efficiency and meaningful participation by workers, communities and consumers.
It said the Teshie-Nungua project experience was a national warning: the public must not carry disproportionate contractual risks while receiving inadequate benefits.
“Government must learn from this case, protect consumers, and put publicly accountable, affordable and sustainable water provision at the centre of national policy. Water is a public good and a human right – not merely a commodity for private profit,” the statement said.
It explained that on 17 September 2026, an International Chamber of Commerce arbitration tribunal awarded approximately US$235 million in termination-related payments to Befesa Desalination Development Ghana Limited and Standard Bank of South Africa Limited following termination of the Water Purchase Agreement with Ghana Water.
A related arbitration under the State Guarantee also principally held the Republic liable for Ghana Water’s obligations. The tribunal dismissed a separate claim of approximately US$402 million for alleged unpaid charges because the contractual claims could not be recovered cumulatively. The US$235 million award is therefore primarily a termination-related liability.
GNA
Edited by Christabel Addo