Ghana’s power sector has long been plagued by political interference, with policy decisions often influenced by short-term electoral gains rather than long-term sustainability. This politicization has hindered the sector’s ability to implement effective reforms, thereby impeding progress and hindering the reliable supply of affordable power to consumers.

The Center for Energy Policy (ACEP) has sounded the alarm on the precarious state of Ghana’s power sector, warning of significant challenges that could undermine the reliable supply of affordable electricity over the next five years. Benjamin Boakye, Executive Director of ACEP, has been vocal about the risks posed by the sector’s politicization and the resultant inefficiencies. His remarks shed light on the systemic issues that have long plagued Ghana’s energy infrastructure, raising urgent calls for reform.

A glaring example of the inefficiencies in Ghana’s power sector, as highlighted by Mr. Boakye, is the delayed relocation of the Karpower barge to the Western Region.

“The relocation of Karpower to the Western Region was supposed to happen even before that ship came to Ghana. It should have docked in Takoradi, but we slept on the job, wasting almost three years before moving it there, and now we celebrate it as a success.”
Benjamin Boakye, Executive Director of ACEP

This delay, he argued, is symptomatic of a broader issue: poor planning and execution within the energy sector. The inefficiencies are not just administrative blunders but are deeply rooted in the politicization of energy projects. Political considerations often overshadow technical and economic rationality, leading to suboptimal decisions that adversely affect the sector’s performance and reliability.

Mr. Boakye’s critique extended to the handling of gas infrastructure projects, particularly the underutilization of gas produced by ENI. The Italian energy giant invested a staggering seven billion dollars to produce gas, yet the Ghanaian authorities failed to make the necessary investments in compressors to reverse flow the gas through an existing pipeline.

“We had ENI spending seven billion dollars to produce gas. All we needed to do was invest in compressors to reverse flow the gas through an existing pipeline. Instead, we waited until ENI completed the project and took on the reverse flow themselves. We were paying for gas on a take-or-pay basis without utilizing it, contributing to the energy sector’s current problems.”

This mismanagement underscores a lack of foresight and strategic planning. The delay in leveraging ENI’s gas production meant that Ghana continued to incur costs without corresponding benefits, further straining the already troubled energy sector. Such inefficiencies not only squander financial resources but also undermine the sector’s ability to provide reliable power to its citizens.

Another critical issue raised by Mr. Boakye is Ghana’s declining reliability as a power exporter. Historically, Ghana has enjoyed a reputation for providing high-quality power to neighboring countries, despite being more expensive than alternatives like Nigeria. This reliability has been a crucial competitive advantage.

However, Mr. Boakye warns that this advantage is eroding. “Increasingly, we are encouraging other countries to build their own solutions. It may be expensive, but when they commit to it, they don’t have any choice but to depend on their own generation,” he noted.

The decline in export reliability is a concerning trend. It not only affects Ghana’s revenue from power exports but also diminishes the country’s strategic influence in the region. Neighboring countries are now incentivized to develop their own power generation capabilities, reducing their dependence on Ghana. This shift could have long-term implications for Ghana’s energy sector and its role in regional energy dynamics.

Systemic Issues and the Need for Reform

Mr. Boakye’s commentary painted a bleak picture of the future if current trends continue unchecked. “If anybody asks me for an assurance of where we would be five or ten years from now, based on the documents and plans we have today, I would advise you to seek out your own power and cheaper alternatives,” he cautioned. His stark warning reflects the systemic issues that need urgent attention.

The politicization of the energy sector has led to a cycle of inefficiency and poor decision-making. Political interests often take precedence over technical and economic considerations, resulting in delayed projects, mismanagement of resources, and declining reliability.

To address these issues, there needs to be a concerted effort to depoliticize the sector. This involves ensuring that energy projects are planned and executed based on technical and economic merit rather than political expediency.

To secure the future of Ghana’s power sector, ACEP recommended several key reforms. First, there needs to be a focus on strategic planning and execution. This includes timely investments in necessary infrastructure, such as the compressors for gas flow reversal, to ensure that resources are utilized efficiently.

ACEP recommended that there should be greater accountability and transparency in the decision-making process. This can be achieved through independent oversight bodies that monitor and evaluate energy projects based on predefined technical and economic criteria.

“Fostering collaboration between the government, private sector, and international partners is crucial. By working together, these stakeholders can address the systemic issues and implement reforms that will enhance the sector’s performance and sustainability.”
Benjamin Boakye, Executive Director of ACEP

Mr. Boakye further noted that it is essential to enhance the reliability of power exports. Ghana should leverage its existing infrastructure and expertise to maintain its competitive edge in the regional power market. This involves not only improving the reliability of domestic power supply but also ensuring that export commitments are met consistently.

The concerns raised by ACEP highlight the urgent need for reform in Ghana’s power sector. The politicization of the sector has led to inefficiencies and declining reliability, posing significant risks to the country’s energy security.

Addressing these issues requires a strategic, depoliticized approach focused on efficient planning, execution, and accountability. Only through such reforms can Ghana ensure a reliable and affordable power supply for its citizens and maintain its standing as a key player in the regional energy market.