The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), took the drastic step of cutting power to the parliament due to an outstanding debt of 23 million Ghanaian cedi ($1.8 million).
The interruption occurred during a debate on the president’s State of the Nation speech, with MPs chanting “Dumsor, dumsor” (power outage) in protest.
A video circulated by local media captured the dimly lit chamber during the outage.
Although a backup power generator quickly restored electricity to the chamber, other parts of the parliament building experienced prolonged outages throughout the day.
MPs and parliamentary staff using elevators during the sudden blackout found themselves stuck, according to media report.
The Electricity Company of Ghana justified the disconnection, citing parliament’s refusal to settle the outstanding debt despite repeated notices.
William Boateng, the company’s communications director, explained that the disconnection was a standard measure for all clients failing to pay.
Power was eventually restored after parliament paid 13 million cedi and committed to clearing the remaining debt within a week.
“Disconnections are for everybody; anyone who doesn’t pay and fails to make arrangements, the team will disconnect,” Boateng emphasized.
Ghana’s electricity company is grappling with severe financial challenges, frequently disconnecting power from delinquent clients.
The country has faced worsening power shortages amid its most significant economic crisis in a decade, leading to substantial arrears owed to private electricity suppliers.
Elikplim Kwabla Apetogbor, the head of the organization representing private electricity suppliers, disclosed that the state power company owes them $1.6 billion.
Last July, these suppliers threatened to shut down operations due to the outstanding arrears.
