The Energy Ministry says it is planning to set up a committee to resolve the impasse between the concerns of the residents of Yilo Krobo and Lower Manya Krobo Municipalities, and the Electricity Company of Ghana.
The decision arrived at a meeting with traditional authorities of the affected communities, the Energy Ministry, a Member of Parliament for the area, and the ECG on Tuesday.
“We’ve all agreed that a committee should be set up so that we can move forward from where we are now,” says Kwesi Obeng Fosu, Public Relations Officer of the Energy Ministry, has said.
A protracted rift between the ECG and the residents of the municipalities over the installation of new pre-paid power meters has plunged the municipalities into darkness as the areas remain disconnected from the national grid for nearly a week.
The residents are kicking against the installation of the new pre-paid meters, which they claim are costing them more.
Although the residents are unhappy, the electricity company maintains the installation of the meters to curtail the high rate of power theft in that zone,
The impasse has resulted in violent attacks on electricity workers, and the ECG says power will only be restored to the Krobo enclave after challenges faced by its staff are addressed.
The Public Utility Workers Union has also directed its members with the ECG in the enclave to boycott work until their security situation improves.
The power situation is taken a toll on homes, businesses, schools, and healthcare facilities in the area. Students writing the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) are also grappling with the situation as there is no light available for them to learn in the evenings.
The Yilo Krobo and Lower Manya Krobo Municipal Health Directorates have warned of a public health emergency if power was not restored.
