GWL owes GH¢999 million, GBC over GH¢8 million; failed to comply – ECG defends disconnections

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has firmly defended its decision to disconnect Ghana Water Limited (GWL) and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) from the national power grid, pointing to their consistent failure to meet payment obligations.

The disconnections, which took place on Tuesday, June 17, are part of ECG’s intensified nationwide revenue mobilisation drive targeting institutions with long-standing debts.

Speaking on Eyewitness News, ECG’s Acting General Manager of Operations, Ishmael Tetteh Oku, revealed that both state agencies had ignored several notices and failed to honour structured payment plans.

“We have given them enough notice. The amount for GBC is over GH¢8 million, and that of Ghana Water Limited is GH¢999 million. These are long-standing arrears,” Mr. Oku said.

He added that ECG had held multiple engagements with the two entities, during which payment terms were agreed upon but ultimately breached.

“For Ghana Water, we have disconnected their headquarters and all their administrative offices, except the pumping station, because we are looking at the interest of the general masses. Once you put out the pumping station, it means the nation will not have water,” he clarified.

Mr. Oku stressed that ECG recognizes the importance of public utilities, but said the company cannot continue supplying power for free while battling its own financial challenges.

“In fact, we are not happy to disconnect any customer, but when the need arises, we have no choice,” he noted.

The utility provider says it remains committed to enforcing payment compliance across both public and private sectors as part of a broader effort to stabilise the country’s power supply chain and recover billions in unpaid electricity bills.