On Thursday, February 29, 2024, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) took the decision to disconnect power supply to Parliament and Job 600, the office complex of Members of Parliament.
The disconnection was prompted by an outstanding debt amounting to GHc23 million, which the power distribution company had been unable to recover.
Reportedly, lawmakers and staff encountered difficulties, with some getting stuck in elevators as a result of the sudden power cut. This action was carried out as part of the ongoing “Operation Zero Balance” initiative by the ECG task force, aimed at recouping outstanding debts from various customers.
The initiative targeted Parliament House and Job 600 due to the significant amount owed.
The Minority in Parliament responded to the situation by urging the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to provide a load shedding schedule to enable people to plan their activities amidst the ongoing power crisis.
John Abdulai Jinapor, the ranking member on the Mines and Energy Committee, emphasized the need for transparency regarding the power situation. He highlighted the government’s challenges in purchasing sufficient fuel for thermal plants due to financial constraints as a contributing factor to the energy shortage.
Jinapor called for President Akufo-Addo and his Vice President to release a load shedding schedule to inform citizens and allow them to plan accordingly.
He stressed that the persistent power outages, commonly referred to as ‘Dumsor’, require a transparent and coordinated response from the government and energy sector stakeholders to mitigate the impact on the lives of Ghanaians.
The disconnection of power supply to Parliament underscores the severity of the electricity crisis in Ghana and highlights the urgent need for effective solutions to address the underlying issues in the energy sector.