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More Background on the Situation in Ghana

from the Ghana National Coalition Against Privatisation of Water

Ghanaians with support from concerned citizens from across the globe have been engaged in a 5 year long defining battle with the World Bank and its corporate allies over privatizing Ghana’s water. We have fought tirelessly to resist and stop an attempt by the World Bank backed policy to hand over our urban water system to multi-national corporations - a move that threatens our right and access to water, our development efforts and our democracy. We have reached the most crucial stage ever in this battle. Bidding for the project is in the very final stages, and the winning company might be confirmed by the World Bank

In Ghana more than 50 percent of the population earns less than US$1 a day and 35 percent of the population lacks access to safe water and 68 percent lack sanitation services.  The formation of the Ghana National Coalition Against the Privatization of Water (NCAP) responded to widespread concern that the privatization of water will have serious negative impacts on public health, women’s work, access to safe, affordable water, and local control and accountability.

We have reached the most crucial stage ever in this battle. Bidding for the project is in the very final stages, and the winning company might be confirmed by the World Bank in few days. We invite you to join us to take urgent and last minute action to stop this move now.  Take action today against the water corporations- Veolia, Saur, Vitens and Rand Water -  that are bidding to take over our water system against our will. The process continues to be shrouded with secrecy and with almost no involvement of the people that are going to be most affected by this project.

Ghana water company has started threathening mass disconnections to prepare a fertile and playing field for the winner of the bid. This move is taken amidst a cholera outbreak in the West Africa sub-region, and with  Ghana now toping the list of world-recorded guinea worm countries.

In the lead up to the privatization 1,280 workers will be sacked. Consumer water rates have almost doubled since 1998 and will most certainly continue to rise in the post-privatization period. These policies will deepen poverty especially to the unemployed, underpaid citizens and pensioneers.

Since 2001, civil society organizations representing a diverse section of the Ghanian public united as the Ghana National Coalition Against the Privatization of Water (NCAP) and have consistently resisted the move to privatize Ghana’s water services. All our victories over the years and our hope for the future stand to be  eroded as the 4 remaining companies remain defiant and are still determined to take over our water system in connivance with the World  Bank and the Ghana Government.  Three companies (French Saur and Veolla,  and Vitens of the Netherlands (in partnership with Rand Water of South Africa) were recently announced as technically competent and selected for final bids.

Our only hope for stopping this process at this stage is to mobilize global solidarity and action. We call for renew  efforts  from all our friends across the globe and especially from the home countries of the bidding companies FRANCE, The NETHERLANDS and South Africa, to TAKE ACTION TODAY to help save our water from corporate exploitation.

Regardless of what happens, we vow that it will not be the end of the struggle. It is not over, it will only move into another phase....

Send an e-mail to the water companies today
TELL THEM TO STOP THE PROJECT NOW! 

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