The Managing Director of Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), Adam Mutawakilu, has projected a significant increase in the company’s revenue through efforts to bring thousands of unbilled commercial customers into its billing system.
He indicated that the initiative could increase the company’s current earnings by about 120% by June 2027, provided the outstanding customers are captured and billed.
Speaking before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on October 13, 2026, Mr Mutawakilu revealed that GWCL has identified a substantial gap between its registered commercial customers and those currently being billed. The Managing Director noted that addressing this shortfall could significantly improve the company’s revenue mobilisation without relying solely on expanding its customer base.
“Ghana Water Company Limited has approximately 73,000 commercial customers on its records, although only about 34,000 are currently being billed. There are 38,800 commercial customers who are unbilled. And there are more than 150,000 residential customers who are yet to be captured for billing.”
Adam Mutawakilu
He expressed confidence that by June next year, earnings could increase by about 120 percent compared with current levels. The Managing Director illustrated the potential financial gains by estimating that “if each of the 38,000 unbilled commercial customers pays a minimum of GH¢1,000 monthly, the company could generate approximately GH¢38 million in additional monthly revenue.”
He cautioned, however, that the projection depends on successfully capturing these customers and bringing them into the billing system.
Meanwhile, PAC Chairperson Honourable Abena Osei-Asare underscored the importance of “accurate metering and billing in strengthening the company’s finances.” She urged Ghana Water Company Limited to ensure customers are properly metered and charged for the water they consumed, emphasising that improved revenue collection could substantially increase the company’s earnings.
The committee chairperson also pressed the Managing Director to provide a progress report at the next review, particularly on the number of residential and commercial customers transferred from the unbilled category into the billing system. She further encouraged the company to recruit the personnel required to support the exercise and improve revenue collection.
Responding to the committee’s expectations, Mr Mutawakilu indicated that Ghana Water Company Limited has begun expanding its customer capture efforts. He informed the PAC that approximately 521 commercial customers have been metered, with the process continuing.
The revenue mobilisation strategy is expected to combine customer identification, metering and billing improvements to reduce losses associated with unbilled consumption. For GWCL, the challenge will be to translate the identified customer numbers into actual collections and demonstrate measurable progress before the committee’s next review.
GWCL Eyes Desalination Plant Takeover After Judgment Debt Talks
The Managing Director of Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), Adam Mutawakilu indicated that the company expects to settle less than 40% of the judgment debt arising from its dispute over the desalination plant, subject to ongoing negotiations with the facility’s shareholders.
He explained that the proposed arrangement could enable GWL to take ownership of the plant and operate it independently.
Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Mr Mutawakilu assured members that discussions with the shareholders remained possible despite the judgment against the company. He traced the negotiations to October 2025, when the desalination plant was shut down, prompting President John Dramani Mahama to direct GWCL to engage the shareholders.
The Managing Director expressed confidence that an amicable settlement could be reached, indicating that the parties remained willing to negotiate despite the legal outcome.
“What I can say for now is that inshallah, when everything is settled, we’ll be paying less than 40% of the judgment debt, and then we’ll own the plant and run it ourselves.”
Adam Mutawakilu
PAC Chairperson, Honourable Abena-Osei Asare sought clarification on whether the proposed settlement would result in GWCL taking over the facility after negotiations. Mr Mutawakilu reaffirmed that the company’s intention was to secure ownership and manage the plant itself, although the final arrangement would depend on the outcome of the discussions.
Honourable Osei-Asare indicated that the committee would expect an update on the negotiations at its next engagement with the company. Her intervention placed emphasis on the need for Ghana Water Company Limited to account for “the eventual settlement and clarify the implications for its finances and operations.”
Beyond the judgment debt, the hearing also examined concerns about GWCL’s ageing pipeline infrastructure and the amount of water lost through deteriorating distribution networks. One issue raised was the condition of asbestos cement pipes in areas including Kasoa, while pointing to communities experiencing unreliable water supply despite the high cost of accessing the commodity.
In response, Mr Mutawakilu explained that the company has shifted its focus from extending the network to replacing old pipelines. He indicated that regional and district offices have been instructed to submit lists of pipes requiring replacement, with the proposals expected to be considered for allocation following the submission process and board approval.
The Managing Director also outlined plans to replace ageing pumps, noting that increasing pressure through new pumps without upgrading deteriorated pipes could worsen water losses. GWCL intends to roll out the replacement programme following approval of its budget by the board in November.
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