President John Dramani Mahama has held an emergency meeting with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to address Ghana’s looming energy crisis.
The meeting, held on Monday, January 13, 2025, aimed to tackle the growing financial challenges in the power sector, particularly the government’s outstanding $1.2 billion debt to the IPPs as of October 2024.
The unresolved debt has strained relations between the government and the IPPs, which play a critical role in supplying electricity to the national grid.
Several IPPs have warned of potential shutdowns if the arrears are not settled, raising fears of an energy crisis.
President Mahama’s engagement with the IPPs is seen as a pivotal move toward resolving the financial disputes that threaten the stability of Ghana’s power supply.
The IPPs, burdened by months of unpaid invoices, have expressed concerns over their ability to sustain operations.
Adding to the uncertainty is a recent announcement from the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo) regarding a planned maintenance shutdown of its gas supply pipeline, which powers many of Ghana’s electricity plants.
While the maintenance was initially set to exacerbate the situation, WAPCo postponed the shutdown by two weeks, offering a temporary reprieve.
The postponement provides a brief window for the government and stakeholders to address the pressing issues in the energy sector and prevent disruptions.
President Mahama emphasized his administration’s commitment to resolving the debt crisis and ensuring a stable power supply for Ghanaians.
