The Embassy has said though it is prepared to pay the power, it has been difficult to get official bills.

[contextly_sidebar id=”mP5cGjYMoDF6rOGdIZ6BvAjvk2W7md8W”]The US Embassy, in a series of tweets, further noted that funds have been set aside to settle these electricity bills.

“The U.S. Embassy in Ghana has not refused to pay any electricity bills. We have been asking for official bills for embassy-managed facilities for more than 2 years so we can issue correct payments. The embassy has set aside funds for electricity, and we will continue to work with the ECG to get correct bills so we can pay,” the embassy clarified.

ECG workers claim embassy not owing

The US Embassy’s remarks come despite employees of the ECG, in a response to the Energy Minister, saying the US Embassy did not owe the electricity provider “in terms of bills”.

“So if they were not getting bills, would they have paid all their indebtedness till date? So this is a statement we find very unfortunate, and ask the Minister to provide further details,” the workers of ECG added in a statement.

The Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko had earlier revealed that American Embassy’s 160 facilities in Ghana had not been billed for two years and had been asking for pre-paid meters.

“I had a discussion with the managing director. American Embassy has 160 facilities in Ghana. They have not been billed for two years. So they went to ECG and said ‘look, we owe you money. Bring us a bill. Bring us pre-paid meters. We will use it for one year, and whenever we use, we will multiply it by 3 and give it to you.’ Up to now, the ECG hasn’t been able to do that,” he noted.

The minister was speaking to concerns over growing debt stock of the ECG, which has been attributed to a faulty metering system and avoidable employee recklessness, among other things.

Mr Agyarko noted that the ECG’s debt accumulation on a monthly basis stood at GH¢66 million.

Compact 2 agreement signed

Inefficiencies within the ECG contributed to the reasoning behind the second Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact worth $498 million with the US government.

The agreement brought to total $1.4 billion received by the government to be injected into the country’s energy sector geared towards making the ECG more efficient.

Some staff of ECG expressed fears they would be laid off amidst rumours of the privatisation of the company, but the MCC has insisted that the company will not be privatised but be strengthened to work more efficiently.

Under the Power Compact, six projects will be implemented to address the unavailability and unreliability of power in Ghana

The project includes ECG Financial and Operational Turnaround Project, NEDCo Financial and Operational Turnaround Project, Regulatory Strengthening and Capacity Building Project, and Access Project.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post We’ve been chasing ECG bills for two years – US Embassy appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

In a statement, the US warned that persons found culpable of inciting political violence ahead of the polls, would face some form of sanctions as violence has no place in the conduct of elections.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Y3pkatenFHM8OZ2aieT4qxCbazuiZLhA”]This warning follows a clash over the weekend between some supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), in front of the Nima residence the NPP Flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo, during a health walk organised by the NDC.

Supporters of the Parliamentary candidates of NDC and the NPP in the Wulensi constituency in the Northern Region, also clashed over the weekend, at a village called Garikpe in the constituency.

This was after a similar clash in the Odododiodio constituency in the Greater Accra Region.

The US Embassy in its statement thus urged political parties to instead participate peacefully in the democratic process before, during and after the Election Day.

“In the period leading up to and following Ghana’s elections on December 7, we call on all actors to remain peaceful and respect the democratic process. We encourage all parties to make it clear to their constituents that any violence or attempts to use intimidation to disrupt the democratic process is unacceptable,” the statement said.

The Embassy also stated that, it “will consider all options to hold responsible those who incite political violence, including denying or revoking visas.”

“The government of the United States does not support a particular candidate or a particular party. We support democracy. We will continue to work with the freely elected government of Ghana, just as we always have,” the statement concluded.

Find below the full statement

Accra, GHANA – The United States condemns all political violence in Ghana, especially any violent acts directed at political candidates, their homes or families. While campaigns can be vigorous and sometimes contentious, violence has no place in the electoral process.

In the period leading up to and following Ghana’s elections on December 7, we call on all actors to remain peaceful and respect the democratic process. We encourage all parties to make it clear to their constituents that any violence or attempts to use intimidation to disrupt the democratic process is unacceptable. The United States will consider all options to hold responsible those who incite political violence, including denying or revoking visas.

The United States applauds Ghana’s tradition of peaceful, democratic elections. The international community is working with the Electoral Commission, National and Regional Peace Councils, NGOs, civil society organizations, the media, the police and others to support Ghana’s efforts to hold credible and nonviolent presidential elections. We urge all to participate peacefully in the democratic process—before, during and after Election Day.

The government of the United States does not support a particular candidate or a particular party. We support democracy. We will continue to work with the freely elected government of Ghana, just as we always have.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post We may deny visas over election violence – US warns Ghana appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.