By Adu Koranteng
In a stark and urgent appeal that has shaken the nation, Ghana’s Ministry of Energy and Green Transition has revealed that the country is just 2.6 days away from running out of fuel needed to power homes, hospitals, businesses, and schools.
The Ministry is desperately seeking GH₵1.1 billion to secure emergency supplies of liquid fuel, warning that if the funds are not raised immediately, Ghana could be plunged into darkness.
Before Parliament’s Energy Committee on Thursday, a visibly concerned Energy Minister, John Jinapor, did not mince words about the scale of the crisis.
“We are down to our last drops of fuel. Just 2.6 days,” he said. “We’ve ordered more, but unless payments are made, those shipments will not be delivered. Some of the fuel we have now was even acquired on credit. But the Finance Ministry itself is stretched thin.”
This emotional plea underscores more than just numbers—it reflects the fragile state of a system millions depend on daily. Hospitals may soon lose power for life-saving equipment. Schools could go dark. Businesses, already battling economic challenges, may grind to a halt.
Behind the fuel shortage lies a deeper crisis: a staggering GH₵2 billion monthly deficit in the energy sector, made worse by the Electricity Company of Ghana’s (ECG) struggles to collect revenue. Among the biggest culprits, the Minister said, are public institutions themselves.
“Ghana Water Limited hasn’t paid for power in over seven months,” Jinapor disclosed. “Yet it continues to consume electricity every day. How do we survive like this?”
The situation paints a painful picture of a sector buckling under pressure, where even state agencies fail to honour their obligations. Jinapor hinted at bold reforms, including potential private sector involvement in ECG operations, to stem the tide of inefficiency and poor revenue collection.
But for now, the priority is urgent: find the money, keep the lights on, and prevent a blackout that would touch every Ghanaian home.
This is no longer just a policy issue. It’s a national emergency. And the clock is ticking. Enditem
Email: Korantengadu@gmail.com
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