Reliable power, water essential for Ghana’s industrial growth – Nii Moi Thompson

Dr. Nii Moi Thompson, Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission, has issued a stark warning that persistent inefficiencies in Ghana’s electricity and water sectors could severely hamper the nation’s industrialisation agenda.

Speaking on The Point of View on Channel One TV with Bernard Avle on April 29, 2026, Dr. Thompson described electricity as the bedrock of modern economic activity, noting that power consumption frequently serves as a key indicator of growth in economic models.

“Industrial development is impossible without a stable electricity supply,” he asserted.

The NDPC Chairman also turned his focus to the water sector, which he believes receives insufficient attention despite its critical role in production. He levelled sharp criticism at Ghana Water Limited, accusing the state-owned entity of inefficiency and abandoning its core mandate of providing potable water to households, industries, and businesses.

Citing performance targets, Dr. Thompson noted that Ghana Water Limited had pledged to reduce non-revenue water losses from 45 percent to 25 percent between 2022 and 2025. Instead, the situation has deteriorated, with losses reportedly climbing to 52 percent.

He further condemned the company’s foray into the sachet and bottled water market, describing these activities as a distraction from its primary responsibility and an unnecessary source of competition for private sector operators.

“This shift in focus undermines the company’s ability to deliver reliable water for industrial use, which is critical for value addition,” Dr. Thompson said.

Without consistent access to both electricity and water, he warned, Ghana cannot effectively industrialise or sustain long-term economic growth.

He concluded that ongoing inefficiencies in these essential sectors pose a significant threat to the country’s broader development agenda.