Former President John Dramani Mahama is pleading with the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to reconsider their decision to shut down their plants due to government’s outstanding debt.
The Chamber of Independent Power Producers on Thursday, June 29 directed its members to cut supply to the national grid from July 1.
Members of the Chamber which include Sunon Asogli, Cenpower, Karpowership, AKSA, Twin City Energy and CENIT claim that as of May 2021, government owes an outstanding debt of about $1.73 billion.
According to the IPPs, the debt has impacted negatively on their working capital hence preventing them from acquiring some raw materials.
In a Facebook post on June 30, the former President emphasized that such a move would have severe consequences on Ghana’s economy and negatively impact the lives of numerous Ghanaian families.
“As a concerned citizen, I would like to make a plea to the Chamber of Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to reconsider their decision to shut down their plants effective July 1, 2023.
“If the IPPs, who account for almost half of the country’s total power generation and over two-thirds of Ghana’s thermal power, go through with this plan, it will have a disastrous impact on Ghana’s economy and negatively affect the lives and livelihoods of countless Ghanaian families.”
Mr. Mahama also called on the government to take action and resolve the situation.
“I strongly urge the government to take immediate action and initiate discussions with the IPPs to find a sustainable solution to the impending power crisis.
Meanwhile, checks reveal that government is still engaging the IPPs to find a possible solution to prevent any load shedding.
