This follows a critical intervention by Dr. Okoe Boye to restore power to the Lekma Hospital, which had been disconnected due to an outstanding debt of approximately 3 million cedis, forcing the hospital to rely on its generator for the entire day on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.

Dr. Okoe Boye, who is also the former Member of Parliament for the area, swiftly moved to address the power cut through engagements with the Energy Ministry.

The prompt action not only restored power to the hospital but also highlighted the urgent need for a sustainable solution to the financial challenges faced by health facilities in covering their utility costs.

Sources have disclosed that following Dr. Okoe Boye’s intervention, the matter was raised at Cabinet and frantic steps are being taken to address the broader issue of power supply and payment by public health facilities across the country.

According to the Electricity Company of Ghana (EC), a total of 91 health facilities nationwide are indebted to it, with a combined outstanding amount of GH¢261 million.

Among the prominent hospitals listed are the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, the 37 Military Hospital, and Ridge Hospital in the Greater Accra region; KomfoAnokye and Manhyia Government Hospitals in the Ashanti region; Ho Teaching Hospital in the Volta region; and Kibi Government Hospital in the Eastern region.

In an earlier interview on Adom FM, Isaac Baah Offei, the Public Relations Officer of the Health Ministry, noted, “Efforts to settle the debts have been initiated, and meetings are being held with all affected hospitals. We are working closely with the Energy Ministry and ECG to find a sustainable solution to this issue.”

The collaboration between the Health and Energy Ministers is seen as a significant step towards ensuring that health facilities across the country are not disrupted by power cuts due to financial constraints.

The discussions and actions taken by the government are expected to lead to a more stable and reliable healthcare system, benefiting both staff and patients.

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While expressing great confidence in Hon. Krapah, President Akufo-Addo also urged Mr. Krapah to implement efficiently all the country’s Energy policies.

The President gave the advice when he swore in Minister of State at the Ministry of Energy Herbert Krapah and Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Kofi Ahenkora Marfo at the Jubilee House.

He said, “Herbert Krapah has demonstrated exceptional dedication, skill, and commitment to the service of our great nation. It is thus my distinct honour to preside over his elevation from Deputy Minister to Minister of State at the Ministry of Energy; he has performed excellently in his previous roles within government.”

The President also noted, “The resignation of the Honourable Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh as Minister for Energy, who has embarked on a new journey as the NPP’s Vice Presidential Candidate, has created a vacancy that demands a leader of strong calibre; it is therefore with great confidence that I appoint Mr. Herbert Krapah as the Minister of State at the Ministry of Energy. This elevation is a testament to his track record, unwavering dedication, and the trust that I have in his ability to steer the Ministry towards greater heights.”

President Akufo-Addo told Mr. Krapah, “Your responsibility now will be to consolidate the gains we have achieved at the Ministry of Energy. You are being tasked with the day-to-day running of the Ministry to ensure that our Energy policies are effectively implemented and that our goals of sustainable energy and universal access to electricity are realized.”

President Akufo-Addo also charged Hon. Ahenkorah Marfo, who doubles as the MP for Akyease, to help maintain the momentum Ghana has built in the Trade and Industrial sectors, while urging him to be loyal to his Substantive Minister. President Akufo-Addo called on the Deputy Trade Minister to let his expertise reflect on port activities, stressing, “I urge you to be loyal to your Substantive Minister Hon. K T Hammond, work collaboratively with your colleagues, and bring your unique perspectives and expertise, especially in Port operations, to bear on your responsibilities.”

The President added, “Our nation’s economic growth depends on a robust trade and industrial sector, and I am confident that you will contribute significantly to the realization of our shared vision of prosperity.”

He therefore charged his government team members to work tirelessly in the few months remaining to ensure the fulfillment of his mandate to Ghanaians. Hon. Krapah, on behalf of his colleague, expressed gratitude to the President and gave assurance that they will discharge their duties with loyalty.

Hon. Krapah said, “We are indeed humbled by the trust that you have kept in us and the confidence that you have in us, in our ability to contribute to your government. Mr. President, in the last seven and a half years, you have led a government that prioritizes the economic and social well-being of people in such a sterling and remarkable way. Prosperity and history will forever have you on the right side.”

The Minister of State at the Ministry of Energy said, “We know the immense responsibilities that come with these positions and we make a solemn pledge to discharge our duties with loyalty, integrity, transparency, and dedication. We are committed to helping implement your unrivaled vision for our country, to continue to bring development and prosperity closer every day to all our people.”

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He claims lessons have been learned from the extensive damage caused by last year’s spillage.

Responding to questions before the Appointments Committee of Parliament, Herbert Krapah assured that the disaster will never happen again.

“VRA is going ahead with the stakeholder consultations and the sensitisations and the Ministry and central government will work closely with them to ensure that the programme that they have put in place to mitigate the impact of the spill, and also ensure the integrity of the dam will be executed, according to plan,” he stated.

His assurance comes days after the Volta River Authority (VRA) announced its intention to engage relevant stakeholders on a potential spillage of excess water from the Akosombo Dam.

A notice signed by VRA’s Deputy Chief Executive in Charge of Services, Ing. Ken Arthur, to over 40 stakeholders, including the Minister for the Interior and all the assemblies within the dam’s catchment areas, stressed the importance of stakeholder engagement.

“The Volta River Authority (VRA) intends to commence engagements regarding the potential controlled spillage of water from the Akosombo Dam. This precautionary measure is crucial to maintaining the structural integrity of the dam and ensuring the safety of our communities,” the notice read.

It added, “We propose to engage you and the relevant team to discuss the potential implications, mitigative measures and information dissemination.”

Meanwhile, ten months after the incident, hundreds of victims affected by the Akosombo Dam spillage in Tongu are still awaiting full compensation from the government.

According to the North Tongu Member of Parliament (MP), Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, many residents remain in tents, while farmers whose farms were destroyed and residents whose houses were submerged have not received compensation.

Background

In October 2023, a controlled spillage of the Akosombo Dam was conducted to prevent overflow, leading to the displacement of residents in low-lying areas.

The most affected communities were in the North and Central Tongu districts. According to authorities, over 35,857 people were displaced, while numerous homes and farmlands were destroyed.

The floods had a significant impact on more than 30,000 individuals in the North Tongu district, leaving them in desperate need of assistance from both government agencies and charitable organisations.

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