The Ministry of Energy and Green Innovation has announced an electricity bill exemption for selected ministries classified as “critical,” in a move aimed at ensuring uninterrupted public service delivery across Ghana.
According to a statement sighted by The Chronicle, the affected ministries include: The Office of the President, the Ministry of Defenc, the Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education
However, the exemption applies specifically to designated agencies and services operating under these ministries.
The directive, approved by Cabinet under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, is aimed at supporting the continuous functioning of essential public institutions.
“I write to inform you that the Cabinet of the Republic of Ghana, chaired by His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, has approved exemption for critical strategic institutions/agencies from the payment of electricity bills. This decision ensures the continued operation of critical services across the country,” the statement read.
The Ministry of Finance is expected to assume responsibility for these bills.
“Under this new directive, the Ministry of Finance will assume responsibility for the electricity bills of these strategic institutions/agencies. This measure aims to alleviate the financial burdens of these agencies and ensure that these vital services remain uninterrupted,” the Ministry stated.
To clarify, the statement emphasised that monthly electricity bills for the exempted institutions will be covered by the Ministry of Finance, using a portion of their goods and services allocation as approved in the national budget.
Revenue Collection Measures
While providing relief for critical institutions, the Ministry also instructed the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) to step up their revenue collection efforts.
“In line with the decision by Cabinet, I hereby direct the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) to intensify their revenue collection efforts to recover all outstanding bills from other institutions immediately,” the statement added.
Furthermore, both ECG and NEDCo have been granted the authority to disconnect power supply to non-exempted institutions that fail to settle their electricity bills.
“The Government remains committed to maintaining the financial stability of the energy sector to ensure consistent provision of electricity to the Ghanaian people,” the Ministry concluded.
