Ghana Water ends GH¢800m in free water service on Dec 31

The government’s free water policy will end by December 31, 2020, a statement from the Ghana Water Company has announced.

The free water policy was part of measures by the government to encourage regular handwashing to curb the rapid spread of coronavirus.

“GWCL assures customers that, meter readers and all frontline staff will continue to adhere and practice in full, all the protocols to protect themselves and our cherished customers, including cladding themselves in GWCL apparel, identity cards, personal sanitizers, and face masks, before accessing their premises to read the meters” part of the statement read.

President Akufo-Addo in his first address to the nation on coronavirus announced the first water reprieve for April, May, and June.

Later in July, the Finance Minister presenting the mid-year budget to parliament announced an extension of the relief for three months.

The policy was later extended to the end of the year. The Sanitation ministry has estimated that it cost the government 800million cedis to supply free water.

Details of the GWCL statement

1. Landlords and Landladies can/must revert to the arrangements with tenants prior to the free water delivery

2 Water vendors can resume their normal business after the last meter reading in December 2020.

3. Disconnected customers who were reconnected to enable them to enjoy the free water during the period, must as a matter of urgency pays their arrears to remain connected.

4. Disconnected customers will remain disconnected until their arrears are settled in full before their supply will be restored.

“All GWCL collection/pay points are opened during normal working hours and customers can also pay their bills via mobile money channels with all the telecommunications networks” it read.

Lockdown freebies

During the lockdown in March, the government absorbed water and electricity bills for consumers from March, April, and May

The government intervention came on the back of complaints that a greater portion of homes in the country did not have running water, which undermined the World Health Organisation safety protocols of handwashing under running water.

In April, the government in response to the needs of industry and a section of the public announced an electricity relief package for Ghanaians.

It includes subsidies for businesses and free electricity for those who consume below 50 kilowatts.

The President at the time indicated that “the government will fully absorb electricity bills for the poorest of the poor.”

He explained that “for all lifeline consumers, that is free electricity for persons who consume zero to 50 kilowatts a month for this period.”

According to the Finance Minister, that initiative cost the government GHc 1.02 billion.