The Minister for Works and Housing, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, has disclosed that although a large proportion of Ghanaians have access to basic water services, less than half of the population benefits from safely managed water sources.
According to the minister, data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) and the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) indicate that about 88% of Ghana’s population has access to basic water services. However, less than half enjoy safely managed water services.
“Only 44% per cent of the population benefits from safely managed water services, defined as an improved water source that is on-premises, available when needed and free from contamination,” Mr Adjei stated in the Government Accountability Series held in Accra on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
Mr Adjei noted that while overall access figures may appear encouraging, significant disparities persist between urban and rural communities.
He explained that urban water access stands at about 96%, compared to an average of 74% in rural areas.
“Certain regions are experiencing access rates as low as 42%. It is important to note that these figures include communities where service is often intermittent and unreliable,” he added.
Highlighting challenges confronting urban water delivery, the minister pointed to the high levels of non-revenue water, estimated at 50%—double the international benchmark of 25%.
“One of the critical challenges facing urban water supply is non-revenue water, which stands at an estimated 50%,” he said, warning that the situation continues to undermine efficiency and financial sustainability within the sector.
Mr Adjei further revealed that nearly four million Ghanaians still rely on unimproved, limited, or surface water sources, exposing them to serious health and environmental risks.
He attributed the challenges in the water sector to a combination of structural and environmental factors, including aging infrastructure, low investment in maintenance, poor cost recovery mechanisms, high operational costs, pollution of water bodies, and climate-induced variability.
The minister assured that the government remains committed to addressing these challenges through targeted investments, sector reforms, and improved collaboration with development partners to expand access to safe, reliable, and sustainable water services across the country.
