The government of Ghana has secured €323 million to tackle water shortages in the Northern regions, aiming to provide clean drinking water and improved sanitation for nearly 1.5 million people. The funding package was confirmed by Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson during the 2026 International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok.
The financing includes a €225 million highly concessional loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB), a €68 million grant from the European Commission, and a €30 million grant from the Dutch government’s Invest International initiative. The announcement followed a meeting between Dr Forson and EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle, where the terms for the Northern Ghana Water and Sanitation Project were finalised.
The project targets the Greater Tamale area, Yendi, and Damongo, covering populations in both the Northern and Savannah regions. The EIB stated that approximately 1.349 million people in the Greater Tamale area will gain access to safely managed drinking water services. An additional 105,000 urban and peri-urban residents in Damongo are expected to benefit.
A baseline water quality assessment conducted in January 2026 examined the White Volta River, which flows through Yapei and is the planned source for the project. The study found the river’s physicochemical properties, such as pH values between 7.34 and 7.63, low conductivity, and low dissolved solids, were within national and World Health Organization guideline limits. However, turbidity levels (28.7–30.3 NTU), apparent colour (60–65 Hz), and total suspended solids (28–30 mg/L) exceeded Ghana’s GS 175:2017 drinking water standards at all sampled points.
Despite these concerns, the White Volta River was approved as a sustainable water source, provided conventional treatment methods are applied. These include coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, iron removal, and disinfection to ensure water safety.
Dr Forson expressed optimism about the project’s impact. “I have just concluded a productive meeting with European Investment Bank Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle on the financing package for the Northern Ghana Water and Sanitation Project,” he said. He added that the initiative would address recurring water shortages and improve sanitation in the three communities.
The project aims to support public health and climate resilience in the Northern and Savannah regions, where water scarcity has been a persistent issue. The involvement of multiple European entities marks a significant international investment in Ghana’s water infrastructure.
The finalisation of the financing package at the IMF/WBG meetings signals readiness to move forward with implementation. The project’s success will depend on effective treatment of the White Volta River water to meet safety standards and on reaching the full target population.
The €323 million package represents one of the largest recent investments in water and sanitation infrastructure for Northern Ghana. Its progress will be watched closely by communities that have long faced challenges in accessing clean water.
According to Joy Online.
