Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has shared his frustrating experience trying to reform the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) during his tenure as Board Chair. Despite his efforts to push for much-needed changes, he faced relentless opposition and eventually became the victim of his own attempts.
Afenyo-Markin used this personal anecdote as a cautionary tale during the vetting of Deputy Energy Minister-Designate, warning that entrenched political and bureaucratic resistance often thwarts genuine reform efforts in key state institutions. He lamented the lack of support for bold reformers, who often face resistance from vested interests, leading to stagnation and inefficiencies that persist across successive governments.
“I tried to reform Ghana Water, and I rather became the victim. It makes me sad as a politician because we don’t support each other for real reforms,” he lamented.
His comments come at a time when discussions around the possible privatization of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) are underway, with significant opposition from various quarters. Drawing from his experience, Afenyo-Markin advised the Deputy Energy Minister-Designate to be prepared for resistance but remain steadfast in pushing for real reforms.
“If you are not assertive, you will spend your time there, come back, and find the same political football being played. The system will fight you, but you must be bold and push for real reforms,” he urged.
It’s worth noting that the GWCL has undergone institutional reforms in the past, with support from organizations like PPIAF, aimed at improving the provision of urban water services in Ghana. However, Afenyo-Markin’s experience highlights the challenges of implementing reforms in the face of entrenched interests and bureaucratic resistance.
