The Akufo-Addo-led government has cleared over GHS2 billion debt owed the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Energy Minister John Peter Amewu has disclosed.

“In 2016, when the NDC left power, the total amount owed the ECG was GHS2.63 billion. The NPP, on the assumption of office, ensured it was current on all the bills incurred from 2017 to date", Mr Amewu said, noting: "President Akufo-Addo has paid 2 billion annually to cover bills to ECG".

“All bills have been paid to ECG with a credit of 500 million,” Mr Amewu added.

The Energy Minister disclosed this at a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, 19 May 2020.

The government recently announced it will give electricity consumers relief as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Akufo-Addo in a televised address said electricity bills of all lifeline customers (persons who consume zero (0) to Fifty (50) kilowatt-hours a month) will be fully absorbed by the Government.

Non-Lifeline Prepaid and Post-paid customers (Residential and Commercial) will enjoy Fifty Percent (50%) relief on their electricity consumptions in April, May and June, using their March 2020 consumption as the benchmark.

All the reliefs are expected to be implemented from 1st May 2020

ECG is a limited liability Company wholly owned by the Government of Ghana and operating under the Ministry of Energy (ME).

The Company is responsible for the distribution of electricity in the southern part of Ghana.