Ghana's ongoing struggle with intermittent power supply challenges has prompted the Volta River Authority's board chairman, Jabesh Amissah-Arthur, to propose a new approach to managing electricity supply to neighbouring countries. Speaking at the VRA's annual stakeholder engagement in Accra, Amissah-Arthur argued that during periods of domestic shortfall, Ghana should share any reduction in available electricity proportionately with Togo, Benin, and Burkina Faso, rather than cutting off power supplies entirely.
Amissah-Arthur's proposal aims to maintain healthy relationships with Ghana's export markets, warning that completely severing supply during a crisis risks permanent damage to these relationships. He likened the situation to a business losing a customer it can never win back. According to him, the proportional-sharing model is not a new idea, having been applied in the past, and remains the most sensible approach going forward.
Under the proposed arrangement, if Ghana has to absorb a 30 percent cut in supply, neighbouring countries would also take a 30 percent reduction, ensuring that all parties manage the shortfall together. This approach would allow Ghana to maintain its commercial ties with Togo, Benin, and Burkina Faso, which are connected to the West African power grid through regional interconnections.
Amissah-Arthur also used the stakeholder engagement to call on the state to ensure that agencies within the energy sector, including the VRA, are given the necessary support and resources to carry out their responsibilities. The VRA plays a central role in balancing domestic demand with the country's commitments as a regional power exporter.
The proposal raises questions for consumers in Ghana, who may have to share the burden of power shortages with neighbouring countries rather than having those countries bear cuts alone while Ghana prioritises its own supply. Amissah-Arthur's position suggests that Ghana's electricity authorities see commercial value in maintaining ties with export markets, even when domestic supply is tight.
The VRA chairman's comments come against the backdrop of Ghana's continuing struggles with periodic electricity supply constraints, a challenge that has shaped public debate around the power sector for years. The country's ability to manage its power supply effectively will be crucial in maintaining stability and meeting the needs of both domestic and international customers.
It remains to be seen whether the government or the Electricity Company of Ghana will respond to Amissah-Arthur's proposal or adopt proportional sharing as policy. The implementation of such an arrangement would require careful planning and coordination to ensure that the needs of all parties are met.
Key points
- VRA Board Chairman Jabesh Amissah-Arthur proposes sharing power cuts proportionally with Togo, Benin, and Burkina Faso during shortages.
