A 50-year-old businessman, Ibrahim Baako Alhassan, has been convicted by the Tamale Circuit Court for illegally installing in-line pumps to draw water from Ghana Water Limited (GWL) pipelines. The court found him guilty on two counts: unlawful use of an in-line pump and obstruction of public officers in the course of their duties.
He was fined GH¢3,600, with a default sentence of 12 months in prison. The court, presided over by Francis Asobayire Ayamwune, also ordered him to sign a bond to be of good behaviour. His wife, who reportedly obstructed GWL officials, was issued a caution.
The case stemmed from a February 22, 2025, complaint by residents of Sakasaka, a suburb of Tamale. Though water was flowing through the network, most households received little to none, while one individual was reportedly selling water to others.
Investigations by GWL’s Loss Control Team revealed that Mr Alhassan had installed an in-line pump at his home, drawing excess water and reducing pressure in the surrounding network. This caused a water shortage for nearby homes. The illegal pump was removed, and Alhassan paid a fine.
However, on May 2, 2025, during a routine inspection, officials found that he had reinstalled the pump. When GWL officers attempted to access the site, Alhassan obstructed them, prompting the involvement of the police.
Further inspections on May 5 and 6 led to the discovery and removal of three water pumps from his property, two of which were again illegally connected to the GWL pipeline. The water supply to the household was disconnected, and Alhassan was surcharged GH¢7,694.80, covering penalties and arrears.
GWL’s Northern Regional Chief Manager, Stephen Amihere-Mensah, welcomed the court’s decision. He said such actions are more than just regulatory violations—they pose a threat to national water security. Illegal installations like these divert resources from others and undermine efforts to ensure equitable water distribution.
He encouraged the public to avoid illegal connections and cooperate with GWL to maintain reliable access to water for all.
