“24-Hour Economy Can’t Start Until ECG Is Fixed” — Ayariga Blames NPP for Energy Sector Mess
Majority Leader says 24-hour economy cannot launch until Electricity Company of Ghana is stabilised
- 24-hour economy cannot begin until ECG is stabilised
- Mismanagement of Millennium Challenge Account Energy Compact 2 resulted in a US$190 million loss
- Investigations reveal GH¢909 million in demurrage charges and irregular contracts
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has warned that Ghana’s planned 24-hour economy cannot be implemented until the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is stabilised.
He attributed current challenges to mismanagement by the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.
Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, November 27, the Bawku Central MP cited failures in the Millennium Challenge Account Energy Compact 2, which he said resulted in a US$190 million loss for the country.
Ayariga also highlighted issues uncovered in a recent ECG container holdup investigation, revealing demurrage charges exceeding GH¢909 million at the port and irregularities in contract awards.
“Contracts worth GH¢159 million were cleared improperly, including GH¢127.6 million awarded to a company without customs house agent registration,” Ayariga told Parliament, noting significant deviations between budgeted and actual procurement costs.
He told the House:
“They mismanaged the Millennium Challenge Account Energy Compact 2 and in the process caused this country to lose US$190 million. The situation at ECG is in the budget. Demurrage of over GH¢909 million was incurred at the port due to negligence. Corruption was at its height. 24-hour economy will start only when we have cleared the mess at ECG and created a 24-hour energy system.”
Ayariga’s comments underline the critical need to stabilise ECG before Ghana can fully implement policies aimed at boosting continuous economic activity.
