ECG cuts off GWL from national grid over nearly GH¢1bn debt

In a bold move to recover nearly a billion cedis in unpaid bills, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has cut off power supply to Ghana Water Limited (GWL) over a staggering debt of GH¢999.6 million. The disconnection occurred on Tuesday, June 17, as part of ECG’s nationwide revenue mobilisation and disconnection campaign, which targets both public and private institutions that owe substantial amounts in electricity bills.

According to ECG officials, this exercise is not just a routine operation but a critical step toward addressing chronic non-payment issues, especially among state-owned entities. The aim, they say, is to strengthen the financial health of Ghana’s power sector, which has been under strain due to massive debts owed by customers, particularly government agencies. ECG’s task force has been moving from institution to institution, disconnecting defaulters and issuing ultimatums where necessary.

Ghana Water Limited, a key state agency responsible for water supply across the country, now faces a serious operational threat. In addition to the disconnection, ECG has given GWL a strict 48-hour deadline to pay its outstanding bill or face extended power outages at its main pumping stations. These stations are vital for water production and distribution nationwide, meaning the impact of a prolonged power cut could be severe, potentially disrupting water access for millions of Ghanaians.

Shortly after the GWL disconnection, the ECG team proceeded to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), another state institution, and disconnected it over an unpaid bill amounting to GH¢3.15 million. This demonstrates ECG’s firm stance and the wide scope of the disconnection campaign, which seems to spare no institution regardless of its public mandate.

The developments have sparked national concern, as essential services like water and information dissemination now risk interruption due to financial mismanagement. ECG’s actions highlight the urgent need for accountability and proper budgeting among public institutions to ensure consistent utility service delivery and avoid such large-scale disruptions in the future.