Ghana stands on the edge of a power crisis, with just 2.6 days of fuel left to keep the lights on.
In a desperate plea to Parliament, the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition has revealed it urgently needs GH₵1.1 billion to secure fuel for power generation, as the country risks slipping into darkness.
“This is not just about fuel — it’s about survival,” Energy Minister John Jinapor told the Parliamentary Energy Committee on Thursday, his voice heavy with concern that, “If we do not act now, Ghanaians will wake up to a country without power, without productivity, and without the means to keep essential services running.”
The sector is bleeding financially, losing an estimated GH₵2 billion every month. The cause? The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is unable to collect enough revenue to sustain its operations. But it is not just about money — it is about a system weighed down by inefficiency and neglect.
Fuel supplies are dwindling fast. Orders have been placed, but fuel suppliers want payment — and fast. Some shipments have already arrived, but only on credit. And even the Ministry of Finance is stretched thin.
“There is simply no room left,” Jinapor said. “We’re coordinating with Finance, but they, too, are under pressure. The clock is ticking.”
What makes the situation more disheartening is that some government institutions, meant to lead by example, are part of the problem. Ghana Water Limited, a major public utility, has not paid a single electricity bill in over seven months, yet continues to draw power from the already strained grid.
“How can we expect private consumers to pay when public institutions refuse to honor their obligations?” Jinapor asked, frustration evident.
Now, with only days of fuel left, Cabinet is being called to take bold, possibly painful decisions. Among them is the prospect of involving the private sector in ECG operations — a controversial but increasingly unavoidable path to survival.
This is more than a technical or financial issue. It is a human one — with hospitals, schools, homes, and livelihoods at risk. The energy that powers lives, businesses, and dreams is hanging by a thread.
As the nation waits, hope now rests on swift, decisive action. Without it, the lights may go out — not just in homes and cities, but in the faith, Ghanaians have in a system that should be working for them.
By Adu Koranteng
