Energy Minister urges debate on electricity tariffs

The Minister of Energy, Joseph Kofi Addah is calling for a national debate on power tariffs.

According to the Minister, the current crisis has exposed the country to various challenges including the inability to attract investors to the energy sector because of the low pricing regime.

The Minister was reacting to concerns on the current energy situation on Joy FM's Super Morning Show.

Mr. Kofi Addah said Ghanaians have generally not been good at conserving power and such a national debate on tariff increment could go a long way to solve the problem

His comments were supported by two other discussants on the programme, former Energy Minister, Fred Ohene Kena and Dr. Kwabena Donkor of Donkor Consult and a former Managing Director of the Bulk Oil Storage Company.

Dr. Donkor said the government's position on tariffs in recent times has not sent the right signals to energy investors.

Mr. Ohene Kena agreed that higher tariffs will attract investors and the earlier a decision is taken the better it will be for the country.

The VRA and ECG have announced a new load management programme in which consumers will be without power for 24 hours every four days.

The measure, according to the two bodies has become necessary to save the Akosombo Dam from imminent collapse.