In response to the recent power supply cut at Accra Academy School, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has issued an apology for the inconvenience caused, emphasising that it was part of an effort to address outstanding debts owed by the institution. Following the intervention of the Ghana Education Service (GES), power was restored to the school after an allocation of GHS 5 million was made.
Managing Director of the ECG, Mr. Dubik Mahama, disclosed that senior high schools across the country collectively owe the ECG over GHS 45 million in outstanding debts. This revelation underscores a broader issue of financial challenges faced by educational institutions in meeting their electricity bills.
Mr. Mahama further stated that a planned meeting with the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service is in the works to explore sustainable solutions to the mounting debt problem.
The ECG has urged all institutions with unpaid debts to prioritise payments to avoid facing consequences such as power supply interruptions.
According to ECG estimates, the total outstanding debt owed by various institutions across the country amounts to a staggering GHS 2.5 billion, reflecting a significant financial burden on the national power distributor.
The ECG emphasises the importance of timely payments to ensure the stability and sustainability of the electricity supply infrastructure.
The revelation of widespread debt issues in senior high schools highlights the need for collaborative efforts between educational authorities, government agencies, and the ECG to address underlying financial challenges and ensure uninterrupted power supply to schools and other essential institutions nationwide.
By: Isaac Nyarko, UniMAC-IJ