PURC, Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources pursue water sector reforms The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) and the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources have intensified efforts to reform Ghana’s water sector, with plans to introduce a comprehensive regulatory and licensing framework that could culminate in the passage of a Clean Drinking Water Services Act. The initiative forms part of the government’s Reset Agenda; and is aimed at addressing long-standing challenges in water service delivery, tariff management, accountability and access to safe drinking water. Executive Secretary of the PURC, Dr. Shafic Suleman, said the proposed reforms seek to establish clear legal and regulatory structures for water service providers while enhancing consumer protection and sector sustainability. According to him, the framework will focus on four key areas: legal clarity, service standards and accountability, tariff and financial sustainability, and improved data transparency. The measures are expected to strengthen oversight, enforce service delivery standards, improve tariff-setting mechanisms and promote greater public confidence in the sector. In a letter dated June 5, 2026, the Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, endorsed the commission’s proposals and acknowledged the need for regulatory reforms, particularly in light of the evolving role of the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) as a utility service provider in rural and small-town communities. The minister noted that the reform programme is anchored in the National Water Policy, 2024, which calls for a comprehensive restructuring of the sector. He disclosed that plans are underway to establish an independent regulator for the water sector and implement a licensing regime for the various categories of service providers. The proposed framework will introduce performance benchmarks, governance standards and service audits aimed at improving efficiency, accountability and service delivery across the sector. The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to a consultative approach and pledged continued collaboration with the PURC and other stakeholders to advance the reforms. Dr. Suleman said the commission would work with stakeholders to develop draft legislative proposals, undertake nationwide public consultations and engage Parliament, sector ministries and development partners to fast-track the enactment of a new Clean Drinking Water Regulatory Act. The reforms, he noted, are intended to enhance sustainability, efficiency and access to quality water services nationwide.

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) and the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources have intensified efforts to reform Ghana’s water sector, with plans to introduce a comprehensive regulatory and licensing framework that could culminate in the passage of a Clean Drinking Water Services Act.

The initiative forms part of the government’s Reset Agenda; and is aimed at addressing long-standing challenges in water service delivery, tariff management, accountability and access to safe drinking water.

Executive Secretary of the PURC, Dr. Shafic Suleman, said the proposed reforms seek to establish clear legal and regulatory structures for water service providers while enhancing consumer protection and sector sustainability.

According to him, the framework will focus on four key areas: legal clarity, service standards and accountability, tariff and financial sustainability, and improved data transparency. The measures are expected to strengthen oversight, enforce service delivery standards, improve tariff-setting mechanisms and promote greater public confidence in the sector.

In a letter dated June 5, 2026, the Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, endorsed the commission’s proposals and acknowledged the need for regulatory reforms, particularly in light of the evolving role of the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) as a utility service provider in rural and small-town communities.

The minister noted that the reform programme is anchored in the National Water Policy, 2024, which calls for a comprehensive restructuring of the sector. He disclosed that plans are underway to establish an independent regulator for the water sector and implement a licensing regime for the various categories of service providers.

The proposed framework will introduce performance benchmarks, governance standards and service audits aimed at improving efficiency, accountability and service delivery across the sector.

The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to a consultative approach and pledged continued collaboration with the PURC and other stakeholders to advance the reforms.

Dr. Suleman said the commission would work with stakeholders to develop draft legislative proposals, undertake nationwide public consultations and engage Parliament, sector ministries and development partners to fast-track the enactment of a new Clean Drinking Water Regulatory Act. The reforms, he noted, are intended to enhance sustainability, efficiency and access to quality water services nationwide.

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