Ghana braces for three weeks of power cuts

By Natasha Booty, Thomas Naadi & Wycliffe Muia,
BBC News


It is being blamed on short supplies from Nigeria

Power cuts are expected to last another three weeks in parts of Ghana because of a shortage of supplies from Nigeria.

A statement from the state power firm said a temporary shutdown for maintenance works at an unnamed Nigerian gas supplier were to blame.

Ghanaians have endured years of regular power shortages and they even have their own nickname - "dumsor" - which means "on and off" in the Akan language.

Power demand has steadily increased over the past two decades, partly due to rapid urbanisation and population growth.

People in Togo and Benin are also suffering gas shortages, according to information in a statement from the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo).

"The current situation is entirely out of WAPCo’s control," the company added.

To spread the available supplies as efficiently as possible in Ghana, the state-owned power firm says it will carry out load-shedding.

"We wish to assure the public that we are collaborating with other stakeholders... to ensure minimal impact of the reduction in gas supply on consumers," Electricity Company of Ghana said on Thursday in a joint statement with the Ghana Grid Company.

The companies pledged to manage the disruptions effectively to ensure essential services were not interrupted throughout the period of reduced gas supply.

It comes barely two months after President Nana Akufo-Addo curbed electricity exports to Togo, Burkina Faso and Benin following supply challenges.

In recent years, power shortages have worsened as the country grapples with its worst economic crisis in a decade.

Private electricity suppliers are owed $1.6bn (£1.3bn) by the state power company, according to Elikplim Kwabla Apetogbor, the head of the organisation representing them.

Last July, they threatened to shut down operations over the arrears.

Ghana, one of the world's biggest producers of both gold and cocoa, has in the last few years become heavily reliant on gas as a major source of energy for electricity generation.

The country gets much of its electricity from hydro and thermal sources, but these are often poorly maintained.

Why are they lying to Ghanaians? Which 3 weeks maintenance are they talking about. Why won't they tell Ghanaians that we owe Nigeria close to $300 mil in gas debts, and that's what's causing the low gas supply

@CaptainSmart_tv come and see something. @ECGghOfficial is using this document to say that it's just maintenance by WAPCO that's causing the #DUMSOR we are experiencing now and not because we owe Nigeria Gas debts that's making them reduce the quantity of gas produced to us

Hmmm GHANAAAA!!!THE ENERGY MINISTER WANTS TO BE VICE PRESIDENT OF GHANA!!!WHERE IS THAT LIAR BAWUMIAWHY SHOULD GHANA STILL DEPEND ON NIGERIA FOR GAS SUPPLYWHAT IS THE PLAN B OF THE MINISTRY OF ENERGY

Checks indicate there's no Nigeria gas company undergoing maintenance. GRIDCo and ECG should name the Nigerian Gas Company.

Ghana is back to Square One.

Below a list of gas producing companies in Nigeria:

1). Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)

2). Chevron Corporation

3). Exxon Mobil Corporation

4). TotalEnergies SE

5). Shell Plc

NPP @NPP_GH government should name which one of them is under maintenance.

Read before you make any unfounded claims here! the West Africa Gas Pipeline Company is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the West Africa Gas Pipeline, which transports natural gas from Nigeria to Ghana

Ghana braces for three weeks of power cuts

2 hours ago
By Natasha Booty, Thomas Naadi & Wycliffe Muia,
BBC News

Tokskob2008:
Lol see life..
They are always the first to beef naija on electricity levels yet they are owing same country that provides them gas for electricity on credit

Not really their fault though cos I don't understand why I will have something which I don't enjoy it's maximum usage in my house only for me to turn around and sell it to my next door neighbour who will be enjoying it well, worst still won't pay for it.