Amid growing public concern over Ghana’s power supply and energy sector debt, the Ministry of Energy has moved to reassure citizens that proactive measures are underway to stabilize the situation.
Speaking on Starr News, Richmond Rockson, the Head of Communications at the Ministry, provided a comprehensive update on current efforts and challenges facing the country’s energy sector.
“Some procurement has already been made for 450,000 barrels of Light Cycle Oil, and we are expecting to receive even more. So, there’s no need for panic—measures have indeed been put in place,” Rockson said, attempting to calm fears about recent fuel shortages and their potential impact on electricity generation.
However, the Energy Ministry’s spokesperson also acknowledged the scale of the financial strain choking the sector.
“It’s true that we’re facing serious challenges, including a debt of about $3 billion. In addition, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) experiences under-recovery each month, amounting to approximately GH₵2 billion. When projected annually, this rises to nearly GH₵30 billion.”
This “under-recovery” refers to the difference between the actual cost of supplying electricity and the amount ECG is able to recoup from consumers. Rockson explained that this disparity is a key driver of the financial bleeding that continues to burden the sector.
He further pointed to systemic inefficiencies as a critical area requiring urgent reform. “The core issue being discussed is inefficiency within the system.
“One major challenge is that the fuel component is not factored into the tariff structure. As a result, the government must constantly intervene financially to maintain power supply—a model that is clearly unsustainable.”
While the government continues to implement short-term interventions to avoid a full-blown power crisis, Rockson was candid about the need for broader reforms.
“In the interim, the government remains committed to delivering an efficient and stable power supply.
“But the long-term solution lies in addressing structural inefficiencies—particularly under-recovery and the sector’s growing debt. These issues must be resolved to build a truly sustainable and reliable energy future.”
