Water crisis in Tamale – A call for urgent action

 The Tamale Metrop­olis has once again made headlines, this time over deepening water crisis that continues to afflict residents.

Although water shortages in the area are not new, the current situation is becom­ing increasingly dire, affect­ing every facet of daily life.

For the past two months, multiple reports have high­lighted the severe struggles residents endure just to ac­cess water for domestic use.

This ongoing crisis is primarily due to the inability of Ghana Water Limited (GWL) to meet the water demands of the metropolis’ fast-growing population.

According to GWL, the daily water demand in Ta­male stands at 90,000 cubic metres, while the current production capacity ranges between 35,000 and 38,000 cubic metres—clearly illus­trating a significant supply shortfall.

The Tamale water sup­ply system, originally built in 1972 with a production capacity of just 15,000 cubic metres, has undergone only one major expansion—in 2008.

Yet, it still falls woefully short of addressing the demands of the sprawling metropolis. The effects of climate change, including prolonged dry spells and unusually high tempera­tures in northern Ghana, have further worsened the situation.

The human cost of this crisis is alarming. On March 21, 2025, The Ghanaian Times reported that six schools in the metropolis were severe­ly impacted, with students abandoning classrooms to search for water.

The recent developments in Bupiala are just one more example of how the per­sistent neglect by state actors is affecting the well-being and productivity of resi­dents.

It is disheartening to say the least that despite numer­ous promises from various government officials to resolve this issue, little ac­tion has been taken beyond public declarations.

The Ghanaian Times be­lieves that it is time for the government to go beyond rhetoric and explore sustain­able alternatives, to solve the problem.

Drawing from the lessons from the Jambusi Water Intake Plant, constructed in 2016 to resolve similar water shortages in Wa, Upper West Region, we believe a permanent solution could be found for the growing water insecurity in Tamale.

We are of the view that similar initiative like the Jambusi Water project which draws its raw water from the Black Volta at Yapei, leveraging the White Volta as a raw water source, could provide a lasting solution for the perennial Tamale water situation.

The Ghanaian Times be­lieves that addressing this water crisis is not merely about providing a basic need—it is about restoring dignity, safeguarding public health, and ensuring that our citizens no longer have to compete with animals for water in the 21st century. It is time to act decisively.