Residents and traders in Teshie-Numgua, a community in the Greater Accra Region, are struggling amid a worsening water crisis that has disrupted daily life and local commerce.
Food vendors, who depend heavily on water for cooking and hygiene, say the shortage has severely affected their businesses. Many are unable to prepare meals for customers, forcing some to close temporarily. Others lament the rising cost of purchasing water from private suppliers, which is cutting into already thin profit margins.
“I have been in this business for over five years, but this water shortage is making it almost impossible to operate,” said Madam Akosua Mensah, a local food vendor. “We spend more on buying water than on the ingredients for our food. Customers are complaining, and some have stopped coming because of the delays in service.”
Community members report that the water scarcity has persisted for several weeks, affecting not just vendors but also households and schools. Some residents have resorted to queuing at distant water points, while others rely on costly bottled water or vendors selling water at premium prices.
The situation has raised concerns among local authorities, who are being urged to intervene to ensure the community has access to reliable and affordable water. Advocates warn that prolonged shortages could heighten public health risks and undermine the livelihoods of small-scale traders who form the backbone of Teshie-Numgua’s informal economy.
As residents wait for a sustainable solution, food vendors continue to call for urgent action, hoping that municipal authorities and utility providers will prioritize restoring water supply to the community.