Ministries, Departments and Agencies are to pay their own electricity bills – Energy minister

John Jinapor, the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, has announced new rules. Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) must pay their electricity bills. The health sector is the only exception to this rule.

Jinapor warned that MDAs owing the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) risk disconnection. He clarified that the health sector, security agencies, educational institutions, and the presidency are exempt from these directives.

While speaking to Parliament's Energy Committee, Jinapor addressed a complaint from Ghana Water. They reported issues with power supply affecting their operations. He noted that Ghana Water has not paid any bills for seven months.

He emphasized that unpaid debts lead to instability in the power sector. Ordinary citizens cannot bear this burden alone. ECG must collect payments for services rendered.

Jinapor stated taxpayers should not subsidize ECG's inability to collect money. He insisted that both water and electricity consumers must pay their bills for efficiency.

He mentioned that Cabinet has approved a position on this issue. All MMDAs need to budget for their electricity expenses moving forward. Critical institutions like health and education will have specific exemptions.

For example, in healthcare, only essential areas like theatres and laboratories are exempted. In education, dormitories and restaurants do not qualify; only lecture theaters do. The Minister of Finance will also need to budget accordingly for these critical institutions.