President Mahama meets Independent Power Producers to discuss energy sector challenges

President John Dramani Mahama has met with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to tackle Ghana’s long-standing energy sector challenges, focusing on the financial sustainability of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and power distribution inefficiencies.

During the meeting at the President’s office, Mahama emphasized the need for urgent reforms in the energy sector, pointing to issues such as procurement irregularities, inefficiency, and revenue losses at ECG.

“We have a 40% commercial and technical loss, and if you continue to think this is a viable business, something must give in that sector,” Mahama stated, underscoring the urgency of systemic changes.

The President also revisited the controversial Power Distribution Services (PDS) deal, highlighting the potential for improved revenue collection when private sector involvement is structured transparently.

“Even as irregular as PDS was, you could see an increase in revenue collection,” he said, calling for a fresh, more transparent approach to private sector partnerships in the energy sector.