Ghana Lost $190m Through NPP’s Energy Compact Mismanagement as Mahama Ayariga Exposes ECG ‘Rot’ Tied to 24-Hour Economy Delays

Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has delivered a scathing critique of the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, accusing it of severely mismanaging Ghana’s energy sector and jeopardising the government’s plan for a 24-hour economy.

Addressing Parliament on Thursday, November 27, the Bawku Central MP argued that the country cannot successfully transition to a round-the-clock economic model until the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is stabilised. According to him, systemic failures dating back to the erstwhile government have left significant financial and operational gaps that must first be resolved.

Ayariga cited the collapsed Millennium Challenge Account Energy Compact 2 as one such setback, alleging that Ghana lost US$190 million due to the mishandling of the agreement. He revisited the controversial Power Distribution Services (PDS) concession, saying the transaction involved forged documents used as a payment guarantee—an action he described as emblematic of the NPP’s poor stewardship of the sector.

“These are the records of the NPP in the management of the energy sector,” Ayariga told the House, insisting that the consequences of those actions continue to burden the economy.

The Majority Leader also drew attention to the findings of a recent inquiry into ECG’s container holdup at the port. The investigation uncovered demurrage charges exceeding GH¢909 million, which Ayariga said were incurred due to negligence. In addition, he highlighted procurement irregularities, including GH¢159 million worth of contracts cleared under questionable circumstances.

According to him, one of the contracts—valued at GH¢127.6 million—was awarded to a company that lacked the required customs house agent registration. He further pointed to significant disparities between approved procurement budgets and actual expenditures.

Ayariga argued that these lapses undermine the government’s efforts to boost productivity through a 24-hour economy. “You stand here and ask when the 24-hour economy will start,” he said. “It will begin when we clear the mess at ECG and establish a reliable 24-hour energy system.”

The Majority Leader’s remarks add to growing public debate over the feasibility of a continuous economic model in the face of persistent power sector challenges.