This paper examined how partnerships with communities can complement government’s efforts at
improving access to adequate water supply and improved sanitation in urban areas of Ghana, using a
descriptive cross-sectional study of the experiences of four communities selected from three regions in
the country. The paper concludes that an active involvement of the user community in the planning and
provision of such services could contribute to greater equity and financial viability and would, in turn,
attract greater private sector participation in the sector. It recommends sustained efforts in information
sharing, consultations and capacity building as requirements for realizing an active community
participation in the provision of urban water and sanitation services in Ghana.