Ghana’s Energy and Green Transition Minister, John Jinapor, has issued a firm directive requiring all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to include electricity payments in their annual budgets. The move, he says, is part of broader reforms aimed at promoting fiscal discipline and energy sustainability in the public sector.
“All MDAs are supposed to pay for their electricity bills. They have to budget for it,” Mr. Jinapor stated during a meeting with the Parliamentary Select Committee on Energy and power sector stakeholders on May 15, 2025.
The minister stated that the policy includes critical sectors such as health, education, security, and even the presidency. However, there will be limited exemptions to ensure essential services continue uninterrupted.
“In the health sector, only the laboratories, theatres, and wards will not pay. In education, it’s just the lecture halls that are covered not dormitories or dining halls,” he explained, noting that Parliament is reviewing the classifications for final approval and publication.
The announcement comes amid mounting pressure on Ghana’s power infrastructure. The Ministry disclosed an urgent need for GH₵1.1 billion to purchase liquid fuel for power generation, warning that current reserves can only last a few more days.
With energy consumption rising and fuel supplies running low, the directive signals a major shift in public sector accountability and underlines the critical need for sustainable energy financing mechanisms.
