TUC cautions government not to privatise water

The Kintampo District Council of the Trades Union Congress has urged government not to privatise water because it would bring untold hardships to ordinary Ghanaians.

A resolution adopted at its general meeting noted that if the management of water went into private hands, especially foreign multi-nationals, their over-riding concern would be to maximise profits to the detriment of the poor in society.

The resolution said: "To privatise water is like handing down death sentence to majority of the ordinary people in Ghana because they cannot afford to pay economic rate for water in view of the dismally low income levels in the country."

The statement signed by Mr. Mike Atiadevey, Public Relations Officer, Trades Union Congress, noted that should the government go ahead with its plan to privatise water, the price would be such that it would aggravate the living conditions of the people.

In another development, the Asonafo District Council of Labour at its meeting held at Goaso in the Brong Ahafo Region, also expressed concern over moves to privatise urban water management in Ghana.

It said, "water is life and government should not do anything that will deprive ordinary Ghanaians of this important life sustaining resource." The council called on the government to open a national debate to discuss all options available in the reforming of the water sector.