Electricity Company of Ghana Cuts Power to Parliament Over $1.8m Debt” The state-owned Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) took action on Thursday by disconnecting electricity to parliament due to an outstanding debt of 23 million Ghanaian cedi ($1.8 million).
This move caused an interruption during a debate on the president’s State of the Nation address. Members of parliament (MPs) responded to the power outage by chanting “Dumsor, dumsor,” which means power outage in the local Akan language.
While a backup generator restored power to the chamber shortly after, other areas of the parliament building remained without power for most of the day.
MPs and staff were reportedly stuck in elevators during the blackout.
ECG’s communications director explained that the power disconnection was a result of parliament’s failure to settle outstanding bills.
After parliament paid 13 million cedi and pledged to clear the remaining debt within a week, electricity was restored.
However, a parliamentary finance official disputed the amount owed, stating that the outstanding bill was around $950,000 due to the company’s system failing to record recent payments.
Ghana’s electricity sector has faced challenges amid financial difficulties, leading to frequent power disconnections.
The country’s power shortages have worsened amid its economic crisis, with private electricity suppliers owed $1.6 billion by the state power company.
Opposition MPs have called on the government to invest in the power sector to address the ongoing challenges.
Source : BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-68400224