The West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCO) has reduced its gas supply to Ghana due to a $20 million debt, further straining the country’s already energy crisis.
This cut is due to a series of challenges within the energy sector, with independent power producers and ENI also threatening to cut supply.
Mr John Jinapor, Energy Minister, addressing the media said, the sector was struggling with a staggering GH¢80 billion debt, putting the stability of power generation at significant risk.
He acknowledged the potential impact of WAPCO’s decision on businesses and households but assured Ghanaians that the government is taking steps to avoid a full-blown power crisis.
“This financial challenge is a major factor affecting the constant supply of electricity. However, the government has no intention of returning the country to prolonged power outages, commonly known as ‘dumsor,” Mr. Jinapor said.
Despite concerns over supply disruptions, the minister insisted that there is currently no load shedding, meaning there will be no official timetable for power outages.
“This is a supply situation, not load management. The official reports I receive daily confirm that we are not shedding load, so there is no need for a load shedding schedule,” he emphasized.
Mr. Jinapor also admitted that Ghana’s power transmission infrastructure is weak, making it prone to localized outages.
“We have inherited a very weak system. The transmission grid is fragile, so even minor disturbances can cause power cuts in some areas,” he added.
Between 2012 and 2016, Ghana’s energy sector has been struggling with electricity generation due to huge debts and improper managerial roles, leading to widespread load shedding that disrupted businesses, industries, and daily life.
Citizens and businesses have called for a load shedding timetable to enable them to plan their activities around the power cuts, especially those in manufacturing, retail, and services, can adjust working hours to minimize disruptions.
While a timetable does not solve the electricity crisis, it helps people adapt and make informed decisions until the issue is resolved.
To address the sector’s financial struggles, the minister revealed that the 2025 budget included a proposal for a significant tariff adjustment to help the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) improve its finances and ensure a more stable power supply.
