Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have called on the government to keep Ghana's water resources and supply systems in public hands, insisting that water is a human right and must not be treated merely as a commodity for private profit.

The groups say the government must suspend further water privatisation and high-risk public-private partnership arrangements pending an independent policy review.

Their call follows an arbitration award of approximately $235 million against the state in connection with the Teshie-Nungua desalination plant project.

"The 235 millon dollars awarded is therefore primarily a termination related liability," the Executive Director of Revenue Mobilization Africa, Geoffrey Ocansey stated.

At a press conference in Accra, the organisations argued that the development highlights the financial and contractual risks associated with private sector participation in Ghana's water supply system.

He said the consequences of poorly structured water contracts must not be transferred to consumers through increased water tariffs.

The groups cited concerns raised over the years by communities, civil society organisations and Organised Labour regarding the quality, salinity, affordability and financial sustainability of water supplied by the plant.

"Water contracts must not be passed on to household through water tariffs,its affordability, quality and universal accessibility must take precedent over private financial returns." 

The Revenue Mobilization Africa also questioned the value for money of the project, pointing to a 2024 Ministry of Finance report which indicated that the plant supplied approximately 15.74 million cubic metres of water against a contracted annual capacity of 21.9 million cubic metres.

"Government support to the ghana water company for the project reached approximately 57.38 Million dollars between 2020 and 2024," Geoffrey Ocansey stressed.

The CSOs are demanding the suspension of further water privatisation arrangements, disclosure of the water purchase agreement and state guarantee as well as an independent public investigation into the project.

They have also called for independent financial and technical assessments of the government's proposed acquisition of the facility to determine its purchase value, rehabilitation costs and implications for taxpayers.

The coalition insists that government must prioritise public investment, efficient management and maintenance of water infrastructure to strengthen the capacity of the Ghana Water Company Limited to deliver affordable and reliable water to consumers.

The statement was jointly issued by Water Citizens Network, ISODEC, Africa Water Justice Network, Revenue Mobilization Africa, Health Foundation Africa, Fisheries Alliance, Students Workers Solidarity Network and Free the Citizens Network.

The groups say water is a public good and a human right, stressing that its affordability, quality and accessibility must take precedence over private financial returns.