President John Dramani Mahama says Ghana has sufficient electricity to meet current demand, declaring that the country is no longer experiencing the power outages popularly known as ‘dumsor’.
He attributed the improved electricity supply to measures his administration has implemented to address financial challenges in the energy sector, particularly outstanding debts owed to Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
Speaking at an engagement with Ghanaians in Moscow, Russia, President Mahama said his government had cleared its outstanding obligations to IPPs and introduced a payment arrangement to ensure that power producers are paid promptly for electricity supplied.
He disclosed that the government inherited approximately $1.7 billion in debts owed to IPPs when it assumed office, alongside outstanding payments for gas supplied from the Jubilee Field and by ENI.
According to him, the accumulated debts had threatened the stability of electricity generation, with some power producers previously warning that they could suspend supply over unpaid bills.
President Mahama said settling the arrears was critical to restoring confidence among power producers and ensuring an uninterrupted electricity supply.
“With regards to energy, I can report that there’s no dumsor in Ghana. Everybody has adequate power. And that’s one of the areas that has been quite dramatic in terms of its management,” he said.
He added: “I’m happy to announce that we have cleared the IPP debt. That is, we are current. Any energy they supply today, we’re paying them.”
The President further disclosed that the government had put in place a payment plan to address its remaining energy sector obligations through initial payments and subsequent settlements as they fall due.
He said the interventions were aimed at maintaining financial discipline in the sector and preventing a recurrence of electricity supply disruptions.
