Ghana’s national power distributor, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), has disconnected electricity to several key government institutions due to unpaid bills amounting to tens of millions of dollars.
On Tuesday, ECG cut off power to the Weija water treatment plant in Accra, operated by Ghana Water Limited, over a $97 million debt. The company also moved to disconnect the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), citing arrears of $305,000 after GBC failed to comply with a structured repayment plan.
“This action wasn’t taken lightly,” said Ishmael Tetteh Oku, ECG’s acting general manager of operations. “These debts have accumulated over a long period, and we’ve issued multiple notices. While we acknowledge the critical nature of these services, ECG cannot continue to supply electricity for free amid our own financial constraints.”
ECG has given the Weija plant a 48-hour deadline to settle the outstanding bill or face long-term power disconnection. The plant supplies nearly 80% of Accra’s water and serves over 30 communities in the city’s western areas.
Power cuts to the plant could lead to widespread water shortages, severely impacting small businesses, informal traders, restaurants, and car washes that depend on consistent water supply.
The ECG has recently intensified efforts to recover debts, as the growing arrears threaten its financial stability—even at the cost of disrupting essential public services.
