Ghana’s Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, has urged the public to bear with the government as it works to address potential power supply disruptions.
The country is currently facing a lack of spare capacity, and the government is scrambling to settle a $75 million debt owed to N-Gas Limited to ensure the continued supply of gas.
Jinapor made the appeal during a working visit to the West African Gas Pipeline Company Station in Tema on February 21.
“Let me appeal to Ghanaians that if they see some minimum disruption in the power supply, it’s not deliberate. Just that given the situation and the short time period we had to scramble to procure fuel, we’re trying our very best to ensure that there’s very minimal impact,” he explained.
“I want to commend GRIDCo and all the power producers for the work they are doing. I want to appeal to the Electricity Company of Ghana to continue to put their men on standby,” Jinapor added.
The minister assured that the government is engaging N-Gas to negotiate payment terms and restore supply once maintenance works by the West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAPCo) are completed.
He acknowledged the challenges posed by the debt, stating, “This is outstanding liabilities from all the gas they have supplied. It has to do with liabilities from last year [2024] up to now. It’s about $75 million.”
Jinapor further explained, “Given the tight fiscal situation, we want to appeal to our Nigerian counterparts that if we can make a down payment while they give us some payment schedule.”
He expressed optimism that the government would be able to find a solution, stating, “Mr. President [John Dramani Mahama] met with the Finance Minister [Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson], myself, and it thus appears that the Finance Minister would be able to mobilize some resources. The truth is that given the situation we find ourselves in, it will be difficult to make the entire amount at a go.”
“I’m sure that our Nigerian counterparts are very cooperative. No matter the challenge, I’m sure we will be able to find a solution,” Jinapor concluded.