The GHS 1 billion Keta Water Project has failed to deliver running water to communities in Ghana's Volta Region for over 10 years. This critical water infrastructure initiative, valued at €85.1 million, faces chronic delays and missed deadlines.
Construction, awarded to Lesico Infrastructures S.R.L. in March 2014, started seven years late in April 2021. The project, intended to serve 65 communities, now has an overall progress of 74.4%. However, on-the-ground activity has significantly slowed, with some work virtually stalled.
This prolonged delay impacts thousands of residents across communities like Keta, Anloga, and Aflao. They struggle daily to access clean water, relying on boreholes and irregular supply. Nursing students, for instance, spend valuable study hours searching for water, affecting their education and well-being. This situation highlights ongoing challenges in public infrastructure projects and their direct human cost in Ghana.
The Keta Water Project was financed through a credit facility from Deutsche Bank. The Italian Export Credit Agency (SACE) backed this loan. This financing structure is typical for large-scale infrastructure projects in Ghana. The project's failure to deliver highlights concerns about contract management and financial discipline despite external funding. Data shows Ghana often struggles with public project completion and cost overruns.
According to supervising engineer Kwabena A. Koranteng, the contractor, Lesico Infrastructures S.R.L., faces severe constraints due to delayed payments. Project documents obtained by The Fourth Estate reveal unpaid invoices totalling €3.7 million (approximately GHS 47.6 million) as of September 2025. The last payment to the contractor occurred in July 2024.
In response to payment issues, the Managing Director of Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) appealed to the Minister for Works and Housing and Water Resources in November 2025. This request sought facilitation for the release of outstanding funds. While COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war are cited as factors, delayed payments represent the primary obstacle. This situation increases project costs and erodes confidence in future completion dates.
GWCL's Managing Director, Adam Mutawakilu, approved an extension in December 2025. This moved the completion deadline from January 2026 to October 2026. Project engineers, however, believe even this revised timeline is unrealistic without immediate payment of outstanding funds. The ongoing delays suggest continued water scarcity for residents. Decision-makers must address the payment backlog to prevent further project escalation and distress for affected communities.