PAC orders CWSA to recover GH‵2.5m debt from public institutions

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has issued a 30-day ultimatum to the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) to recover GH‵2.5 million in outstanding water bills owed by various public institutions. This directive, announced during a committee hearing, aims to address the agency's struggling debt recovery efforts and ensure state institutions settle their financial obligations. The PAC expressed concern over the agency's financial management, noting that the CWSA has allowed substantial debts to accumulate for nearly a decade.

The GH‵2.5 million target is a portion of a larger debt pool totaling GH‵15,349,706 that has built up over the past nine years. More than 295 public institutions are currently in arrears, according to reports presented to the committee. Notable debtors include senior high schools, which collectively owe GH‵978,280, and the Ghana Police Service, which owes GH‵235,898. Other institutions cited in the audit include Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and the Ghana Prisons Service.

PAC Chairperson Abena Osei-Asare emphasized that the 30-day deadline is non-negotiable and criticized the CWSA for its inadequate collection mechanisms. To facilitate the recovery of funds from security agencies, the committee urged the CWSA to collaborate directly with the Inspector-General of Police to retrieve over GH‵300,000 owed by approximately 72 police stations. The chairperson noted that significant progress must be demonstrated before the committee reviews the 2026 audit report.

The committee's intervention highlights the ongoing challenge of inter-institutional debt within the public sector, which often hampers the operational capacity of utility providers. By setting a strict timeline, the PAC intends to force a resolution that improves the CWSA's liquidity and ensures the sustainability of water services in rural and small-town communities. Failure to meet the recovery targets may lead to further sanctions or recommendations for the agency's leadership.