The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, has announced a major policy shift requiring all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to make budgetary provisions for their electricity consumption.
Speaking during a meeting with the Energy Committee and power sector stakeholders on Thursday, May 15, the Minister said this directive forms part of broader efforts to instill accountability and ensure efficiency in public power consumption.
“All MDAs are supposed to pay for their electricity bills. They have to budget for it. These include the health sector, education, security agencies, and the presidency,” Jinapor stated.
However, he clarified that some critical services within key sectors would be exempted from this directive.
“In the health sector, it is the laboratories, theatres, and wards that will be exempted. In the educational sector, dormitories and restaurants are not included; it is just the lecture halls,” he explained.
Jinapor noted that these classifications have been finalized and are awaiting parliamentary approval for publication.
In addition to the new MDA directive, the Ministry also revealed that it urgently requires GHS 1.1 billion to procure liquid fuel for electricity generation.
The Energy Minister disclosed that current fuel stocks are only sufficient for 2.6 days, underscoring the urgency of securing additional supplies.
The announcement comes amid ongoing power challenges and concerns over the country’s energy security.
The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition says it remains committed to sustainable power management and a gradual reduction of state-funded utility subsidies.
