The Member of Parliament for Wa Central, Hon. Rashid Pelpuo, has expressed grave concerns about Ghana’s worsening energy sector crisis, attributing it to significant financial and operational challenges.
Speaking on Ahotor FM with host Citizen Kofi Owusu, Hon. Pelpuo described the situation as dire and requiring urgent intervention.“We are at a very terrible stage in our energy supply,” Hon. Pelpuo lamented.
He explained that Ghana’s energy sector heavily depends on independent power producers (IPPs) and gas supplies from Nigeria and local sources. However, these critical components of the energy chain are currently facing serious challenges, threatening the nation’s energy stability.
According to Hon. Pelpuo, the government owes a substantial amount to the independent power producers. “In April last year, an agreement was reached to pay these producers through a structured process. Unfortunately, by December this year, the government had failed to honor its payment obligations, leading to threats from the IPPs,” he revealed.
He further noted that the crisis is compounded by the lingering debts and power supply issues inherited from the previous government. “The former administration left behind significant debt and unresolved challenges in the energy sector. As a result, we now find ourselves unable to mobilize the necessary funds to pay the independent power producers,” he explained.
Hon. Pelpuo’s remarks highlight the precarious state of Ghana’s energy sector and the urgent need for decisive action to address the mounting financial obligations and operational inefficiencies threatening the country’s power supply.
Hon. Rashid Pelpuo again drawn attention to the critical challenges facing Ghana’s energy sector, particularly the financial burden of sustaining power generation. he emphasized that the inability to secure funds for fuel procurement and settle debts owed to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) has created a dire situation for the country
“The money to buy fuel to run the equipment is a serious problem,” Hon. Pelpuo revealed. He disclosed that the government owes the IPPs a staggering GH₵1.6 billion, a financial deficit that has significantly hampered their ability to operate efficiently. “This is not a small matter—it’s a big deal,” he added, stressing the magnitude of the issue.
Hon. Pelpuo further highlighted that resolving such crises goes beyond diplomatic efforts alone. “There are some issues you can solve through diplomacy, but others, like this, require action. You need to pay them so they can keep the power supply running,” he asserted.
He called on the government to prioritize clearing the debt owed to IPPs, warning that failure to do so could lead to more severe disruptions in energy supply. “It is crucial that we find a sustainable way to address this debt. Without it, the energy sector will continue to face instability, affecting households and businesses across the country,” he cautioned.
His remarks underline the urgent need for practical solutions to stabilize Ghana’s energy sector, which is grappling with operational and financial challenges that threaten national development.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson
