ELECTRICITY BILL EXEMPTION GRANTED TO PRESIDENCY,MOH, AND OTHER MINISTRIES

The Government of Ghana has officially approved electricity bill exemptions for selected high-priority public institutions, following a Cabinet decision chaired by President John Dramani Mahama.

This strategic move, announced by the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, is designed to ensure the continuous and efficient operation of essential national services in critical sectors such as security, health, and education.

According to the minister, the exemption policy not only aims to protect the functionality of these vital institutions but also to promote responsible energy usage and enhance institutional resilience. The Ministry of Finance has been tasked with covering the electricity costs for the designated institutions through their allocated budget provisions.

Scope of the Exemptions

The institutions benefiting from the policy include:

• The Office of the President
• The Ministry of Defence
• The Ministry of the Interior
• The Ministry of Health
• The Ministry of Education

However, the exemption applies strictly to essential operational units within these ministries. Auxiliary and non-essential facilities are not included.

Sector-Specific Coverage

• Education Sector: Electricity exemptions will cover academic and research-related facilities such as classrooms, lecture halls, universities, science and computer laboratories, and research centers. Non-academic facilities like dormitories, dining halls, and recreational spaces are excluded.

• Health Sector: The policy applies to critical medical infrastructure, including hospitals, operating theatres, blood banks, medical laboratories, and patient wards. Residential and leisure amenities for staff are not covered.

• Defence Sector: Only key military installations such as national defence communication centers, military intelligence facilities, and emergency response systems are eligible. Non-essential military sites are excluded.

• Interior Ministry: The exemption covers police units and emergency response services. Other Interior Ministry establishments fall outside the exemption criteria.

As part of the implementation, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) have been instructed to step up their revenue collection efforts from institutions that are not covered under this exemption framework.