ASEC BLOG

  Effective governance in Ghana’s energy sector depends on transparency, accountability, and efficiency.  A critical step toward achieving these objectives is ensuring that the boards of key entities within the energy value chain include representatives from other major stakeholders.  This cross-representation fosters collaboration, enhances decision-making, and aligns the interdependent roles of various entities, ultimately strengthening sector operations. Such governance reforms are particularly important for improving financial mechanisms like the cash waterfall system and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the energy sector. They also provide valuable insights for ongoing discussions about the privatisation of the Electricity Company of Ghana. Diversity in Board Composition Strengthening Decision-Making Ghana’s energy value chain is made up of key institutions, including the Ministry of Energy, the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission, the Electricity Compa...

  A leading energy think tank, the Africa Sustainable Energy Centre (ASEC) is pushing back against the recent proposal to merge the assets of the Volta River Authority (VRA) and Bui Power Authority (BPA).   In their view, this move is unnecessary as it could spell disaster for the nation’s energy sector should the government proceed. In a press release, ASEC stated, "The merger of VRA and BPA and the separation of the VRA’s thermal power will usher in the collapse of Ghana's energy security. For years, VRA has managed a robust energy portfolio that includes solar, thermal, and hydropower, and dismantling this carefully balanced structure would jeopardise the country’s power stability.” The think tank’s response comes a few days after aggrieved staff groups of the VRA expressed strong opposition to a proposed draft bill that seeks to merge VRA with BPA, combine the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) and establish an independent thermal Power Authority from...