The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition has assured Ghanaians that the country is not on the brink of a power crisis, despite growing concerns over rapidly depleting fuel reserves.
The reassurance comes amid heightened public anxiety about potential power outages and questions surrounding the sustainability of Ghana’s energy supply.
These concerns were sparked by recent comments from Energy Minister John Jinapor, who revealed that the country requires GH₵1 billion to procure emergency liquid fuel for power generation to address current challenges.
However, speaking with Starr News, the Head of Communications at the Energy Ministry, Richmond Rockson, offered clarification, stating that the government has already secured 450,000 barrels of Light Cycle Oil, which is scheduled to arrive on May 16, 2025, to help avert any potential blackouts.
“Procurement has already been made for 450,000 barrels of Light Cycle Oil, and we expect to receive even more. So, there’s no need for panic—measures have indeed been put in place,” Rockson said.
He clarified that the minister’s comments were meant to highlight systemic inefficiencies in the power sector.
“It’s true that we’re facing serious challenges, including a debt of about $3 billion. Additionally, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) experiences under-recovery each month, amounting to approximately GH₵2 billion. When projected annually, this figure rises to nearly GH₵30 billion.”
“The core issue being discussed is inefficiency within the system. One major challenge is that the fuel component is not factored into the tariff structure. As a result, the government must continually intervene financially to maintain power supply—a model that is clearly unsustainable,” he explained.
Rockson added that the Ministry of Finance has made the necessary financial provisions for fuel procurement to ensure Ghanaians are not left in darkness.
“In the interim, the government remains committed to delivering an efficient and stable power supply. But the long-term solution lies in addressing structural inefficiencies—particularly under-recovery and the sector’s growing debt. These issues must be resolved to build a truly sustainable and reliable energy future.”
