Member of the NPP communication team, Awal Mohammed, has called for greater transparency in the management of funds within Ghana’s energy sector, raising concerns over the use of proceeds from the electricity levy.
According to him, the levy was initially introduced with the assurance that it would be used to procure crude oil to stabilize power supply and prevent outages. However, he questioned whether those funds have been applied as promised.
“We were told the levy would be used to buy crude to keep the lights on,” he said.
He further noted that despite consumers paying higher electricity tariffs, the reliability of power supply has not improved.
“We have been paying more for electricity, yet the lights still go off,” he stated during an appearance on JoyNews, as monitored by MyNewsGh.
Awal Mohammed stressed that authorities had previously committed to providing regular updates on the utilization of the funds collected through the levy. He expressed concern that such accountability has not been forthcoming.
“They said they would account to the people and tell us what has been collected and how it has been used,” he noted. “In the last eight months, that accountability has not come.”
He also threw his support behind growing calls for the publication of a load-shedding timetable, arguing that it would help citizens better manage their daily activities amid ongoing power challenges.
“It is not only the minority. Even civil society groups are asking for a timetable so people can plan their lives,” he added.
Highlighting the impact on livelihoods, he said both households and businesses continue to suffer due to the unpredictable power supply.
“Food is going to waste, people cannot plan, yet we are still paying,” he lamented.