Mahama in Urgent Talks with IPPs to Avoid Power Crisis Amid Growing Debt
Urgent talks held to address mounting debt and looming power shortages in Ghana
- Government owes IPPs a staggering $1.2 billion, threatening power supply continuity
- Power producers threaten to halt operations if debts are not settled soon
- Scheduled maintenance by WAPCo adds pressure to Ghana’s energy crisis
President John Dramani Mahama held an emergency meeting with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) on January 13, 2025, in a bid to avert a looming power crisis.
The meeting was triggered by a severe financial predicament in Ghana’s energy sector, particularly the government’s outstanding debt of $1.2 billion to the IPPs as of October 2024.
This unresolved debt has raised alarm bells, with the IPPs warning of a potential halt in power production due to the growing arrears. The meeting aimed to explore solutions to the financial strain on the IPPs, who play a crucial role in supplying power to the national grid.
The looming crisis intensified with the recent announcement from the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo), which operates the pipeline supplying gas to Ghana’s power plants.
WAPCo had planned a shutdown for maintenance, adding to fears of power shortages. However, the shutdown was postponed for two weeks, temporarily easing concerns over a widespread power outage
