Ghana's Energy Ministry requests Parliament to suspend energy bill

Accra, Ghana -  October 24, 2024 - The Ministry of Energy has made a surprising move, requesting Parliament to put the brakes on the Ghana Energy Regulatory Authority Bill.

This bill has been a hot topic, proposing the merger of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) with the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), and creating an independent Thermal Power Authority from the Volta River Authority's (VRA) thermal plants.

Minister of State at the Energy Ministry, Herbert Krapah, signed a statement urging Parliament to halt further discussions on the bill, citing the need for more consultations. This decision comes after mounting opposition from stakeholders, including senior staff at the VRA.

“The Ministry respectfully requests Parliament to suspend consideration of the aforementioned Bill to enable us to hold further consultative,” part of the statement read.

Staff Protests and Concerns

VRA's senior staff have been vocal about their opposition to the proposed merger, staging demonstrations to express their concerns. They believe the merger would compromise the authority's operational efficiency and stability. The staff argue that the merger would negatively impact the VRA's ability to manage resources and deliver reliable energy services.

Breaking Down the Energy Bill

The Energy Bill encompasses several key legislative proposals:

- Ghana Thermal Authority Bill, 2024
- Ghana Hydro Authority Bill, 2024
- Ghana Power Distribution Authority Bill, 2024
- Ghana Energy Regulatory Authority Bill, 2024

These proposals have sparked intense debate, with NEDCo staff also protesting against the bill. The Ministry's decision to suspend the bill's consideration may be a strategic move to address the concerns and reassess the bill's implications.

Source: Lead News Online