Wafric News – June 18, 2025

Accra, Ghana - Ghana’s state-owned power company has begun switching off electricity to major government institutions over a staggering backlog of unpaid bills—signaling a new phase in the country’s growing fiscal strain.

On Tuesday, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) disconnected supply to Ghana Water Limited’s Weija treatment plant in Accra, citing a whopping $97 million in outstanding payments. Shortly after, ECG also moved against the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), cutting power over unpaid arrears amounting to $305,000.

“This isn’t a decision we take lightly,” said Ishmael Tetteh Oku, ECG’s acting general manager of operations. “But after repeated notices and failed payment plans, we have no choice. We’re supplying power, not giving it away.”

The Weija plant, one of the largest in the country, provides up to 80% of water to Accra and surrounding areas. ECG has now issued a 48-hour ultimatum: settle the debt or face a longer-term blackout that could severely disrupt water distribution.

Water shortages are already a familiar pain point for residents in western Accra, where more than 30 communities have previously endured outages due to system failures or maintenance works. Small businesses such as roadside eateries, laundries, and car wash stations fear another round of losses if water access dries up.

The power cuts are part of a wider revenue recovery campaign launched by ECG, which says it is under intense financial pressure. Officials say they’ve been left with little choice but to go after chronic defaulters—regardless of whether they’re public institutions or not.

“Our books are bleeding. We can’t continue to fund services without payment,” an ECG executive told WafricNews. “Even critical institutions have to meet their obligations.”

While the move has sparked debate over how essential services should be handled during economic hardship, ECG insists that a culture of accountability is the only path to long-term sustainability.

WafricNews understands that more agencies may be affected in the coming days if debts remain unsettled.