With two large reservoirs, Accra, the capital of Ghana, has abundant water resources, but clean potable water is reaching only about 60 percent of its residents. Some communities, especially those in poor areas, have not had access to water for decades.
Residents who are off the grid resort to illegal tapping of pipelines, and those who are connected stockpile supplies, creating shortages for people who live downstream while paying only a minimal fee despite their excessive consumption. Between these two problems, the local water company forfeits millions in much needed revenue.
To bridge the shortfall, the water sector has turned to foreign investors and donors to support the water system's expansion. Close to all capital investment comes from abroad.
The government says that 100 percent coverage is possible by 2025. With investment flowing and more than enough water, the goal seems within reach, but skewed priorities threaten progress.
Grantee
Samuel Agyemang is a broadcast reporter and anchor with Metro TV in Ghana. He also reports for the South-South News and Voice of America.
He has reported on a wide range of development stories that...
Pulitzer Center staff
Peter Sawyer is special projects coordinator at the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. Focusing on water, population and environmental issues, he works to extend the impact of the Center's...
Grantee
Stephen Sapienza is an award-winning news and documentary producer who has covered a wide range of human security stories, including the HIV crisis in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, child...
Gateways
Peter Sawyer presents the Pulitzer Center's West Africa collaborative water reporting initiative--a new approach to covering systemic global issues.
Nigerian journalist Ameto Akpe and Emmy award-winning producer Stephen Sapienza will discuss issues of inadequate access to safe drinking water in Bangladesh, Nigeria and Ghana.
A collaborative investigation into the water sector in Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Liberia in partnership with local journalists and their outlets.
Every day, millions of people across West Africa struggle to get access to safe drinking water. In many cases, the greatest obstacle they face is lack of government accountability.
After 15 years, a neighborhood in Accra gets access to safe running water.
In Accra, Ghana's capital, the water infrastructure falls far short of the population's needs, forcing many residents to scramble for water from illegal taps and roadside puddles.
A collaborative investigation into the water sector in Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Liberia in partnership with local journalists and their outlets.
Every day, millions of people across West Africa struggle to get access to safe drinking water. In many cases, the greatest obstacle they face is lack of government accountability.
In Accra, Ghana's capital, the water infrastructure falls far short of the population's needs, forcing many residents to scramble for water from illegal taps and roadside puddles.
A collaborative investigation into the water sector in Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Liberia in partnership with local journalists and their outlets.