The government is being urged to take immediate action to resolve the problem of unpaid electricity bills for senior high schools (SHS) throughout the nation by the Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition (GNECC).
However, Accra Academy’s power supply was cut off by the Ghanaian Electricity Company (ECG). It was also noted that the power distributor plunged the school into darkness on Monday night because the school owes approximately GHS480,000 in post-paid electricity bills since July 2023.
This is worrying, as this inconvenience triggered widespread concern among staff and students, which was based on this backdrop. The Coalition warns that such outages would affect teaching and learning activities.
In addition, GNECC underscored and prioritized the need to maintain an uninterrupted power supply in SHS to ensure the quality of education for all Ghanaian students. This helps a lot, as stated earlier.
Also, The National Programs Manager, Mr Festus Longmatey, says in recent news to address this issue, the coalition is proposing several measures, such as
The prioritization of funding for education ensures that the government should allocate sufficient funds to cover electricity expenses for schools, ensuring uninterrupted power supply. Not forgetting also the implementation of energy, thus also efficient practice. He added strongly that schools should adopt energy-saving appliances and promote energy conservation among students and staff. Regular energy audits can help identify areas for improvement.
Putting money into renewable energy helps a lot; thus, installing solar panels on school buildings can provide a sustainable and cost-effective solution to power outages, reducing reliance on the national grid.
As you wait, collaborate with interested parties. Working with SHS parents and alumni can lessen the financial strain on the government.
Establish Monitoring Mechanisms: Implement transparent systems for tracking expenses and payments to prevent future power outages due to unpaid bills.
Nonetheless, GNECC also urged the entire government to take immediate action to settle the outstanding electricity bills for SHS and prioritize renewable power solutions to ensure uninterrupted power supply to schools.
