President John Dramani Mahama has assured residents of Tamale that government will fix the long-standing water crisis in the metropolis using the cedi equivalent of a €277 million facility, after an external funding arrangement was withdrawn due to Ghana’s debt challenges.
Mr Mahama made the pledge while addressing residents during his Resetting Tour in Tamale on Saturday, April 18, 2026, where he said the water situation in the Northern Regional capital has remained a persistent problem for decades.
The Tamale water crisis has remained a major concern for residents for years, with many communities experiencing frequent shortages, forcing households to rely on alternative sources for domestic use.
He recalled his own experiences growing up in Tamale, stressing that he understands the severity of the situation and the urgent need for a lasting solution.
“I grew up in Tamale so I know the Tamale water problem has been a very persistent one,” he said.
Mr Mahama disclosed that Parliament had previously approved a €277 million facility to support the Tamale and Damango water projects, but the arrangement was halted after Ghana defaulted in its debt repayments.
“When we came, we met Parliament had approved a 277 million euro facility for Tamale water and Damangu water,” he stated.
“Unfortunately, because the past government defaulted in the debt payment, we declared that we couldn’t pay our debts. If you don’t pay your debt, do they give you a new loan? So the EU drew back the loan and they said they are waiting for the debt restructuring to happen and all that,” he added.
Mr Mahama said government has decided not to wait for the external facility to be restored, but will instead mobilise local resources to undertake the project.
“We don’t see any sign on the world that it will come soon,” he said.
“So I’ve directed the Minister of Finance that we will find our own 277 million euro in cedis and we will do the water system ourselves,” Mr Mahama announced.
He assured residents that the project remains a priority for his administration, noting that he has a personal responsibility to ensure the water problem is resolved.
“I want to assure the people of Tamale. I’m a citizen of Tamale. If I don’t do this water, nobody will come and do it,” he said.
“So I can assure you that we are going to fix the Tamale water problem,” he added.
Mr Mahama further disclosed that the planned water system is expected to significantly improve supply by bringing 30 million gallons of water daily to Tamale.
“This new system is going to bring 30 million gallons of water every day to Tamale,” he stated.
As an interim measure, he said government has instructed that weak pumps at Dalong be replaced to increase the volume of water pumped to Tamale while work on the new system begins.
“While we are about to start the new water system, I’ve asked them to change the old pumps at Dalong so that we can pump some more water. Some of the pumps are very weak,” he said.
“So very soon you’ll notice an improvement in the water supply because we’re going to put new pumps to replace the old pumps,” he added.
Mr Mahama also revealed that water will be drawn from Yape to Tamale South as part of the broader intervention to ensure adequate supply across the metropolis.
“At the same time, we’ll be drawing the water from Yape all the way to Tamale South so that 30 million new gallons of water will be available for Tamale,” he said.
He promised to return to Tamale with traditional leaders to officially begin the project when work is ready to commence.
“And I promise you, when the work is about to start, I’ll come and we’ll call all the chiefs and we’ll cut the sod together for the work to begin,” Mr Mahama stated.
