Ghana’s ECG Cuts Power to Parliament Due to $1.8m Debt

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Ghana's ECG Cuts Power to Parliament Due to $1.8m Debt

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Ghanaian Parliament Faces Power Cut Over $1.8m Debt to Electricity Company.

The state-run Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) took the drastic step of cutting power to the parliament on Thursday due to an outstanding debt of 23 million Ghanaian cedis ($1.8 million; £1.4 million). The power cut disrupted a parliamentary debate on the president’s State of the Nation speech.

Video footage shared by local media showed Members of Parliament (MPs) in the dimly lit chamber chanting “Dumsor, dumsor,” which translates to “power outage” in the local Akan language. While a backup generator restored power to the chamber shortly after, other parts of the parliament building remained without power for most of the day until supplies were eventually restored.

MPs and parliamentary staff using the elevator when the blackout occurred were reportedly left stuck. William Boateng, the power company’s communications director, explained that the disconnection was a result of parliament’s failure to comply with demand notices to settle their debt.

Electricity was eventually restored after parliament paid 13 million cedis and committed to clearing the remaining debt within a week. Boateng emphasized that the company’s policy of disconnection applies to all clients who fail to pay or make arrangements to settle their debts.

The Electricity Company of Ghana is struggling with financial challenges and regularly disconnects power from customers with outstanding debts. The country has faced worsening power shortages in recent years amid its worst economic crisis in a decade. Private electricity suppliers are owed $1.6 billion by the state power company, according to Elikplim Kwabla Apetogbor, the head of the organization representing them. Last July, these suppliers threatened to halt operations over the unpaid arrears.