Ashanti Region water crisis eases as Ghana Water Limited workers end strike

The Workers Union of Ghana Water Limited (GWL) in the Ashanti Region has suspended its ongoing strike following an emergency meeting with the company’s Board and Management.

The decision comes after widespread public concern about the water supply disruption caused by the three-day industrial action. The strike was sparked by unlawful attacks on the residences of Chief Managers, which the Union viewed as a threat to their safety.

Briefing the media on Monday (16 December) the Union acknowledged the inconvenience caused to customers but expressed confidence that management would take decisive steps to ensure the safety of personnel and hold those responsible for the attacks accountable.

Vice Chair of the Senior Staff Association of Ghana Water Limited in Ashanti Emmanuel Okpoti who spoke on their behalf also cautioned that any failure to honour these promises could result in a resumption of the strike.

“The plea is that we’ve backed down on our demands and return to production and supply of water to the people of Asanteman. Essentially, we want to say that the action we took is in solidarity with Asanteman. The siege that was staged at the bungalows of our managers is a clear show of impunity. And if we did not stand by our people whose security and safety were compromised in the process, our presence as a water production firm in this region is of no value,” he said.

We want customers to be assured that our actions were not meant to inconvenience them, but it was a necessary evil that must be undertaken for the future of this company and Asanteman. We are glad that we have to return to supply which some of our stations have started already. But we want to give a caution that if what happened is not restored and further actions have been taken by those involved, we will not hesitate to return to our actions again”, he added.