Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has accused the former New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration of grossly mismanaging Ghana’s energy sector, cautioning that the government cannot successfully roll out its planned 24-hour economy until the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is fully stabilised.

Addressing Parliament on Thursday, November 27, Ayariga cited what he described as significant lapses under the previous administration, including the collapse of the Millennium Challenge Account’s Energy Compact 2, which he said resulted in a loss of US$190 million. He argued that the failed concession agreement with Power Distribution Services (PDS) which was later terminated after issues with a purported payment guarantee, formed part of this mismanagement.

He also referenced the recent ECG container holdup investigation, which uncovered more than GH¢909 million in demurrage charges at the port, alongside concerns over contract irregularities.

According to the Bawku Central MP, contracts worth GH¢159 million were improperly cleared, including GH¢127.6 million awarded to a company that lacked customs house agent registration. He further pointed to “massive deviations” between approved budgets and actual procurement costs.

“They mismanaged the Millennium Challenge Account Energy Compact 2 and in the process this country lost $190 million, by giving distribution to a certain PDS which went and forged records in providing a payment guarantee."
“This is the record of the NPP in the management of the Energy sector…The situation at ECG is in the budget. Mr speaker the recent container holdup investigations report of the ECG reveals the mess at the ECG. Due to your negligence, demurrage of over GHS909 million was incurred at the port," he explained.

Ayariga insisted that until the challenges within ECG are resolved, the government cannot effectively deliver round-the-clock economic activity.
He added, “Mr. Speaker there was massive deviations in budget for procurements vis a vis actual procurements…You stand here and you ask when is 24 hour economy starting. 24-Hour economy will start when we have cleared the mess at ECG and we have created a 24 hour energy system.”