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PURC fines ECG board members GH¢5.8 million for ‘dumsor’

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The Commission's March 18 letter also requested that the ECG disclose the total number of scheduled outages conducted between January and March. In a letter dated Monday, April 15, PURC stated that its study of the given data revealed that 4142 outages occurred throughout the time. "The Commission determined from its review of data given by ECG that there were 4142 outages to consumers in ECG's operational zones between January and March 2024. ECG-planned outages accounted for 165 of these, or 3.98% of the total. Further investigation revealed that 40 of the 165 planned ECG outages were accompanied by public announcements, but the remaining 125 outages received no warning.

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has issued hefty penalties of GHS 5,868,000.00 on members of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) board who served from January 1 to March 18, 2024.

This action was brought because they violated Regulation 39 of L.I. 2413, which mandates prior notification to customers before any power outage.

The fine affects Keli Gadzekpo, the Board Chair who resigned on March 26, as well as Samuel Dubik Mahama, the current ECG Managing Director.

In a letter dated March 18, PURC instructed the ECG to produce a load-shedding timeline by April 2, 2024, which was shamelessly ignored without reason.

The Commission’s March 18 letter also requested that the ECG disclose the total number of scheduled outages conducted between January and March.

In a letter dated Monday, April 15, PURC stated that its study of the given data revealed that 4142 outages occurred throughout the time.

“The Commission determined from its review of data given by ECG that there were 4142 outages to consumers in ECG’s operational zones between January and March 2024. ECG-planned outages accounted for 165 of these, or 3.98% of the total. Further investigation revealed that 40 of the 165 planned ECG outages were accompanied by public announcements, but the remaining 125 outages received no warning.

“Further, 38 of the 40 notices did not comply with the requisite three-day statutory notice prescribed under Regulation 39 of L.I. 2413. This indicates that in 163 instances of planned outages, ECG did not comply with the law.”

The regulator stated that it will impose 3,000 penalty units on ECG for each breach committed in its failure to comply with the timeline guideline.

It further said that the fee will be enforced on ECG’s board members according to the ownership structure.

“For failure to comply with the 3-day statutory notice required under Regulation 39 of L.I. 2413, the Commission in accordance with Regulation 45 of L.I. 2413, hereby imposes a regulatory charge of 3,000 penalty units on ECG for each of the 163 breaches, amounting to Five Million, Eight Hundred and Sixty-Eight Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHS 5,868,000.00).

“The Commission has determined that having regard to the nature of ECG’s ownership and business, the imposition of the penalty of Five Million, Eight Hundred and Sixty-Eight Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHS 5,868,000.00) on ECG would be counter-productive, as payment from ECG’s revenue would have a rebounding adverse effect on quality of service and consumers who pay tariffs to the company.”

The nine board members have up to May 30, 2024, to pay the fine “into a dedicated fuel account under the joint control of the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Finance.”


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Power interruptions damage our enterprises; release dumsor schedule – GUTA

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GUTA is asking answers from ECG about the true reasons of the unpredictable power outages, measures to resolve the issue, and a deadline for resolution. They also requested ECG to publish a timeframe for load-shedding so that companies may organise their activities appropriately. Because of the unpredictability of power outages, many shop owners have turned to generators, which has resulted in rising fuel costs to keep them operating during outages.

The Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA) has joined demands for the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to produce a load-shedding schedule, citing the persistent power outages that are badly impacting companies and livelihoods across the nation.

GUTA issued a statement emphasising the considerable impact of the power outages on many sectors, including agriculture, trade, and industry.

According to them, firms are struggling to meet production schedules and prepare for their personnel as a result of the irregular power supply, which raises production costs and degrades living conditions.

Traders, store owners, wholesalers, tailors, dressmakers, electricians, and other artists are also suffering business losses as a result of the “Dumsor phenomenon.”

GUTA is asking for answers from ECG about the true reasons of the unpredictable power outages, measures to resolve the issue, and a deadline for resolution.

They also requested ECG to publish a timeframe for load-shedding so that companies may organise their activities appropriately.

Because of the unpredictability of power outages, many shop owners have turned to generators, which has resulted in rising fuel costs to keep them operating during outages.

Click here to read the statement

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The Foreign Affairs Ministry cautions against travelling to Northern Mali

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"The Ministry remains committed to the safety of Ghanaians and will provide updates on the security situation in the region under reference in due course," the statement went on to say. The Foreign Affairs Ministry reminded the people to always prioritise their safety when travelling.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has advised Ghanaians not to travel to certain areas of Northern Mali.

In an official statement, the Ministry underlined recent security concerns along critical routes connecting Mali and Niger, notably in the Gao and Ansongo regions of Northern Mali.

The Ministry mentioned incidents of terrorist activity targeting travellers along these routes.

“The Ministry remains committed to the safety of Ghanaians and will provide updates on the security situation in the region under reference in due course,” the statement went on to say.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry reminded the people to always prioritise their safety when travelling.

Find the statement below:

WhatsApp Image 2024 04 26 at 19.20.01 712x1024 1 jpeg
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Gov’t settles on blue and white as new paint for basic schools

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He also announced the replacement of the brown and yellow outfits. "We are modifying the uniforms of public elementary schools across the country. The yellow and brown that you see now will go. Reformation is coming to a community near you, and you will witness it." The education minister expanded, saying that this project is part of the government's attempts to demonstrate to critics that its concentration is not exclusively on secondary education.

Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, Minister of Education, has declared that the government intends to repaint all public basic schools in blue and white, replacing the present brown and yellow.

This programme is part of a rebranding campaign to improve the appearance of the institutions.

Dr Adutwum went on to say that this is only one of several initiatives targeted at revitalising and improving basic education in the country.

“We’re moving to blue and white. We are painting all of the schools to give them an appealing appearance. This is the revolution Ghana deserves, and it is on its way,” the minister said at a “The free SHS tale” discussion in Accra on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.

He also announced the replacement of the brown and yellow outfits.

“We are modifying the uniforms of public elementary schools across the country. The yellow and brown that you see now will go. Reformation is coming to a community near you, and you will witness it.”

The education minister expanded, saying that this project is part of the government’s attempts to demonstrate to critics that its concentration is not exclusively on secondary education.

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