Wednesday, 7 October 2026

Ghana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026

Wednesday, 7 October 2026

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Ghanaian press · Organization

Northern Electricity Distribution Company

Also known as: NEDCo

Northern Electricity Distribution Company — electricity distribution utility in Ghana, subject of government plans for private-sector participation and ongoing service complaints.

2026-04-272026-10-07

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

April 2026
27 AprJoy Online
… Within the distribution segment, revenue collection by the Electricity Company of Ghana and Northern Electricity Distribution Company has improved significantly. …
Full Text: Energy Minister’s presentation on power challenges after Akosombo substation fire
27 AprJoy Online
… On distribution, he said the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) have improved revenue collection, strengthening their operational capacity and enabling investments in network maintenance and expansion. …
Energy Minister details power sector reforms, explains Akosombo substation fire and assures restoration

Business

Government meets union over private-sector role in electricity distributors

The News

The government is meeting the Public Utilities Workers Union today to discuss plans to introduce private-sector participation in the operations of ECG and NEDCo. PUWU has opposed the proposal and argues that improvements in ECG's revenue mobilisation show the company can be turned around with government support, while the government maintains that all options must be assessed before a final decision.

28 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 28 September

Government meets union over private-sector role in electricity distributors
The government is meeting the Public Utilities Workers Union today to discuss plans to introduce private-sector participation in the operations of ECG and NEDCo. PUWU has opposed the proposal and argues that improvements in ECG's revenue mobilisation show the company can be turned around with government support, while the government maintains that all options must be assessed before a final decision.
28 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 17 September

USTDA and C-Squared Africa sign fibre feasibility study agreement
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency and C-Squared Africa have signed an agreement for a feasibility study on deploying fibre-optic cables along Ghana's existing electricity infrastructure to expand affordable digital connectivity across the country.
17 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 10 September

Ten SOEs recorded GH¢8.8 billion net loss in 2024
Ten state-owned enterprises collectively recorded a net loss of GH¢8.8 billion in 2024, about 1.0% of GDP, with the Electricity Company of Ghana accounting for 85% of those losses. The IMF attributed the losses mainly to high financing costs, which reached GH¢9.4 billion—nearly six times the earnings before interest and tax.
10 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 8 September

Energy Ministry distinguishes PSP from privatisation of ECG
The Energy Ministry spokesperson has rejected characterisations of proposed private sector participation (PSP) in the Electricity Company of Ghana as privatisation, arguing that PSP does not involve transfer of ownership of ECG or the Northern Electricity Distribution Company, only greater private sector involvement in operations.
8 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Calls for wider consultation on ECG private sector participation plan
Collins Adomako-Mensah, Energy Committee member and Afigya Kwabre North MP, has called for broader consultation before deciding on private sector participation in ECG's operations. He noted that while the Minority supports private involvement at ECG's retail end to improve efficiency, the company's recent operational improvements raise questions about whether such participation remains necessary.
8 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Tariff increases alone won't fix ECG's operational problems
A senior analyst at the Institute for Energy Security says electricity tariff increments alone may not resolve operational challenges at the Electricity Company of Ghana, arguing that the focus should instead be on addressing commercial and technical losses—which stood at about 26% in 2025—and upgrading obsolete infrastructure within the distribution network.
8 September 2026 · Joy Online →
NPP MP defends private sector participation in ECG operations
An NPP MP and Energy Committee member says the Trades Union Congress has legitimate reasons to be cautious about World Bank proposals for private sector participation in ECG and NEDCo operations, but distinguishes this from full privatisation and notes the party supports private involvement if it improves efficiency and reliability.
8 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Sunday 30 August

Government builds transmission line to strengthen Volta power supply
Ghana's Energy Minister announces construction of a 45-kilometre 161 kV transmission line from Asiekpe to Ho and a new bulk supply point at Ho to improve voltage levels and meet growing electricity demand in the Volta Region. The projects are part of broader government efforts to strengthen Ghana's electricity infrastructure and deploy additional distribution transformers nationwide.
30 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 28 August

Mahama plans net metering bill for solar power sales
President John Mahama says the government will introduce net metering to allow companies generating excess solar power to sell it to the national grid and receive payment. The government will work with Parliament to pass a net-metering bill that establishes the framework for businesses with solar installations to supply surplus electricity to NEDCO, tracked by a specialised meter that calculates compensation owed.
28 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 27 August

PURC intervention restores power to Abofour-Dumasua after weeks
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission says its intervention led to the restoration of electricity supply to Abofour-Dumasua in Offinso South Municipality after the community had been without power for several weeks due to a faulty 200KVA transformer. Following resident complaints, PURC engaged the Northern Electricity Distribution Company to expedite the transformer's replacement, and power was restored on August 26, 2026.
27 August 2026 · Joy Online →
PURC directs NEDCo to replace faulty transformer in Abofour-Dumasua
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission engaged residents of Abofour-Dumasua in Ashanti after a 200KVA transformer fault left the community without electricity for about three weeks, and directed the Northern Electricity Distribution Company to replace the transformer and restore power by the end of the week.
27 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 18 August

PURC Upper West resolves 97 per cent of utility complaints in H1 2026
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission's Upper West Regional Office resolved 548 of 563 complaints (97.34 per cent) from utility consumers between January and June 2026, mostly concerning electricity and water services. The majority of complaints—92.72 per cent—were against the Northern Electricity Distribution Company, with quality of service issues being the largest complaint category.
18 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 10 August

Power union opposes private-sector participation in ECG, NEDCo
The Public Utilities Workers Union (PUWU) has criticised the government's appointment of a transaction adviser to facilitate private-sector participation in the Electricity Company of Ghana and Northern Electricity Distribution Company, saying it breaches mutual trust after the union submitted an alternative proposal that the ministry has not acknowledged.
10 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 5 August

NPP criticises diesel relief, says it temporary and insufficient
The New Patriotic Party has questioned the government's planned GH¢2 per litre reduction in diesel prices, arguing the measure is temporary and does not fully offset fuel price increases over the past year and a half. The NPP also criticised the Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Act, saying the GH¢1 levy imposed in June 2025 remains in force while diesel relief does not extend to petrol prices.
5 August 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
NPP demands details on how government finances GH¢2 diesel cut
The New Patriotic Party has challenged the government's GH¢2 per litre diesel price reduction, demanding clarity on its financing and questioning its relationship to the Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Bill passed by Parliament. The NPP acknowledged fuel price hardship but stated the cut only cushions part of recent increases and does not return prices to levels from eighteen months ago.
5 August 2026 · Joy Online →
NPP says diesel relief is not generosity, only partial recovery
The opposition NPP's Energy Committee Ranking Member George Kwame Aboagye described the government's two-cedi diesel relief as a temporary measure that does not return fuel prices to January 2025 levels and argued consumers have already paid higher costs through petroleum levies. He stated that even with the full two-cedi reduction, diesel prices would remain about 11.4 per cent higher than January 2025 levels.
5 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 3 August

Deputy Energy Minister endorses nuclear energy investment for Ghana
Ghana's Deputy Minister of Energy and Green Transition backed calls for Ghana and African countries to invest in nuclear energy, citing benefits including clean air protection, high reliability and improved density. He spoke at the opening of the 60th Annual General Meeting of the Association of Power Utilities of Africa, hosted by the Volta River Authority in Accra.
3 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 28 July

Ghana's energy reforms target debt reduction and IPP payment stability
The government is implementing power sector reforms aimed at financial sustainability and preventing debt accumulation owed to Independent Power Producers, with renegotiated IPP agreements generating more than $240 million in savings. The Deputy Energy Minister said IPPs are currently being paid 80 to 90 percent monthly, with improved revenue collections from distribution companies contributing to stronger financial discipline.
28 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Saturday 18 July

Legislator Gideon Boako completes first year in Parliament
Dr. Gideon Boako, a new MP for Tano North Constituency, has completed one year in Parliament, characterized by parliamentary contributions and development projects including dormitory blocks at Bomaa Senior High School, boreholes in over 45 communities, security service recruitment of 60-plus young people, and direct educational support for 127 students.
18 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 13 July

World Bank downgrades Ghana energy recovery to unsatisfactory
The World Bank has downgraded Ghana's Energy Sector Recovery Programme from "Moderately Satisfactory" to "Unsatisfactory" due to financing constraints, election-related disruptions, and delays from the Finance Ministry's new fiscal controls and implementing agencies. Only one of the programme's indicators was fully achieved during the reporting period, with ECG publishing its 2025 audited financial statements, though they remain unavailable publicly on its website.
13 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 9 July

PURC uses WhatsApp to resolve electricity and water complaints
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission has adopted WhatsApp platforms across the country to enable consumers to lodge complaints about utilities, with the Bono East Regional Office resolving 96% of 1,223 complaints in the first half of the year, 84% of which came through WhatsApp.
9 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 18 June

Ghanaian young women urged to embrace leadership, governance roles
Young Ghanaian women have been called to build confidence and participate in governance processes to contribute to inclusive governance and sustainable development. The appeal was made at a Mentor Connect Programme organised by RISE-Ghana in collaboration with Bolgatanga Technical University Women Commission, which brought together female students and women leaders to discuss political leadership, digital inclusion, mental health, and career advancement.
18 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 9 June

State enterprises turned profit in 2024, lost GH¢9.7bn overall
The 2024 State Ownership Report shows 35 of 54 state-owned enterprises turned a profit, but the sector posted a net loss of GH¢9.68 billion after tax, worse than the GH¢7.14 billion loss in 2023, driven by losses at a handful of giant utilities and currency revaluation effects from the weakening cedi.
9 June 2026 · Business & Financial Times →

Friday 5 June

Ghana's power system should handle predictable seasonal disruptions
An opinion piece argues that Ghana's recurring electricity outages blamed on rainfall, storms, and bushfires reflect a systemic vulnerability to known, manageable risks rather than unavoidable events. The article contends that a resilient power system should anticipate and quickly recover from such predictable seasonal disruptions.
5 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 3 June

Ghana launches $182m energy efficiency plan for public institutions
Ghana launched a $182 million Public Facilities Energy Sustainability Action Plan to improve energy efficiency and reduce electricity consumption in Ministries, Departments and Agencies through renewable energy adoption and efficient energy management. Implemented by the Energy Commission with German support, the plan aims to enhance financial sustainability in the energy sector and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
3 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Tendomah and Welteng communities connected to national grid
Tendomah and Welteng in Wa West District have been connected to the national grid following the commissioning of an electricity project on May 31, 2026. The project, initiated in 2020 but stalled before being revived, is expected to improve living conditions, enhance economic activities, and support delivery of essential services in the communities.
3 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
VRA staff association opposes government privatisation plan for NEDCo
The Volta River Authority's Senior Staff Association has petitioned the Minister of Energy against the government's proposed Private Sector Participation arrangement for the Northern Electricity Distribution Company, calling it a "disguised privatisation" that would transfer core utility functions to private operators and contradict the President's assurances on state ownership.
3 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →

Saturday 23 May

Mahama commissions Yamoransa Model Lab 13 for STEM education
President John Mahama has commissioned the Yamoransa Model Lab 13 in Damongo, Savannah Region, which he said aligns with the government's B-STEM agenda and is powered by solar energy. He called for stronger collaboration between government, district assemblies and development partners to replicate similar ICT centres across the country.
23 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 20 May

VRA and NEDCo staff reject government privatisation plan
Staff groups at the Volta River Authority and Northern Electricity Distribution Company have rejected a government proposal for Private-Sector Participation in northern power distribution, saying it would transfer operational control to private entities while leaving structural challenges unaddressed and leaving NEDCo workers idle. They argue the arrangement, which would split asset management between NEDCo and a private participant, would compromise supply reliability and service quality, and amounts to "full privatisation disguised as participation."
20 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 18 May

PURC Northern office resolves 92.66% of Q1 consumer complaints
Ghana's Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) Northern Regional Office resolved 202 of 218 complaints in the first quarter of 2026, primarily against Northern Electricity Distribution Company and Ghana Water Limited. Service quality was the dominant complaint category, with electronic submissions accounting for 74% of reported cases.
18 May 2026 · Business & Financial Times →