By Anifowoshe Oladipupo
Ghana’s state electricity distributor has disconnected power to several key public institutions over mounting unpaid bills, totaling tens of millions of dollars.
On Tuesday, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) cut supply to Ghana Water Limited’s Weija treatment plant in Accra over an outstanding debt of $97 million.
The company also disconnected the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), citing arrears of $305,000 after the media house failed to honor a payment plan.
“This is not a step we take lightly, but these are long-standing arrears,” said Ishmael Tetteh Oku, ECG’s acting general manager of operations. “We cannot continue to supply power for free while facing our own financial challenges.”
ECG issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the waterworks to clear its debts or face prolonged disconnection.
The Weija plant supplies nearly 80 percent of Accra and surrounding areas, and past disruptions have triggered severe water shortages across more than 30 communities.
The power cuts threaten to impact small businesses that rely on water, including restaurants and car wash operators.
ECG said the disconnections are part of a broader campaign to recover revenue and reduce financial losses, despite the disruption to essential services.
