The government has approved a policy exempting some strategic institutions from paying electricity bills.
The approval was granted at a cabinet meeting chaired by President John Dramani Mahama.
The move forms part of efforts aimed at ensuring uninterrupted operations of essential national services, particularly in the security, health, and education sectors.
The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, who announced this, said, “The policy is intended to enhance accountability in energy consumption while safeguarding the operational resilience of critical government institutions.”
According to him, the Ministry of Finance will absorb electricity costs for the listed institutions through their approved budgetary allocations.
He stated that the exemption applies to the Office of the President, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Education.
He was, however, quick to add that “This does not include auxiliary and non-essential facilities”.
In the education sector, only classrooms, universities, laboratories, lecture halls, and research facilities are covered, excluding dormitories and recreational spaces.
The exemption for the health sector will cover hospitals, theatres, blood banks, laboratories, and wards, excluding staff residences.
In the defence sector, it is limited to installations such as military intelligence and emergency systems.
Within the interior ministry, it covers police and emergency response units alone.
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) have been tasked with stepping up revenue collection from non-exempt institutions.
They have also been authorised to disconnect electricity from any such entity with unpaid bills.
“This measure reflects our commitment to financial discipline in the energy sector and our responsibility to ensure a stable power supply for all Ghanaians,” the minister added.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
