Residents of Asokwa in Kumasi are expressing growing frustration over persistent water shortages that occur every weekend, disrupting household routines and local businesses.
Many residents report that their taps run dry every Friday evening and only begin to flow again late on Sunday or early Monday morning. The repeated pattern has forced families to store water in advance or buy from private tankers at high prices.
“This happens every weekend without fail,” said Mrs. Coleman, a landlady in Asokwa. “We have to ration water from Friday because we know it will not flow until Monday. It makes life very difficult, especially for families with children.”
Another resident said they depend on stored water from buckets throughout the weekend. “Without the reserved water, we wouldn’t be able to cook, clean, or even bathe,” she added.
Business owners in the area, including restaurant operators and laundry service providers, say the irregular water supply has disrupted operations and increased their costs.
A laundry attendant noted that the shortage makes it difficult to wash customers’ clothes on time. “Sometimes, customers get upset because I can’t finish their work as promised,” he said.
A food vendor also shared that he has to buy extra water every day, which significantly increases his operational costs. “It’s becoming expensive to run the business, but we can’t do without water,” he lamented.
The Asokwa Municipal Assembly has urged residents to conserve water, especially ahead of weekends, while calling on the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) to implement long-term measures to address the problem.
As the situation persists, residents are appealing for swift and lasting action to end the cycle of weekend water shortages and restore consistent water supply across Asokwa.
