By Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, has announced that Cabinet has approved the exemption of electricity bills for selected strategic institutions, including security agencies, and those in the health and education sectors.
Mr. Jinapor said the decision was reached after a Cabinet meeting held during the week in Accra, chaired by President John Dramani Mahama.
The Minister explained that the initiative is intended to safeguard the uninterrupted operations of essential national services in key sectors such as security, health, and education.
He further stated that the new policy aims to enhance accountability in energy consumption and strengthen the operational resilience of critical government institutions.
Mr. Jinapor noted that the measure taken by the John Mahama-led government reflects its commitment to financial discipline in the energy sector and to maintaining a stable power supply for all Ghanaians.
“This exemption ensures uninterrupted services in sectors vital to national security, health, and education, while also enforcing accountability among non-exempt users,” he stated.
Under the directive, the Ministry of Finance will absorb the electricity costs for these institutions through their approved budget allocations.
The exemption applies to the following ministries: the Office of the President, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Education.
The exemptions are strictly limited to core operational units, excluding auxiliary and non-essential facilities.
In the education sector, the exemption applies to classrooms, universities, science and computer laboratories, lecture halls, and research facilities. It does not cover dormitories, dining halls, or recreational areas.
The health sector includes hospitals, operating theatres, blood banks, medical laboratories, and wards. Staff residences and leisure facilities are excluded.
For the defence sector, only critical installations such as military intelligence, national defence communications, and emergency systems are covered. Non-emergency sites are excluded.
Under the Interior Ministry, police and emergency response units are included, while other facilities remain outside the exemption.
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) have been directed to intensify revenue collection efforts from institutions not covered under the exemption.
They are authorised to disconnect power to any non-exempt entity with unpaid bills.
