The Ministry of Energy has requested Parliament to suspend the controversial Ghana Energy Regulatory Authority Bill, which seeks to merge the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) with the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) and create an independent Thermal Power Authority from the thermal plants of the Volta River Authority (VRA).

The request was made in a statement signed by the Minister of State at the Energy Ministry, Herbert Krapah, urging Parliament to halt further discussions on the bill.

“The Ministry respectfully requests Parliament to suspend consideration of the aforementioned Bill to enable us to hold further consultative,” part of the statement read.

The Energy Bill, encompassing several key legislative proposals—the Ghana Thermal Authority Bill, 2024, Ghana Hydro Authority Bill, 2024, Ghana Power Distribution Authority Bill, 2024, and Ghana Energy Regulatory Authority Bill, 2024—has faced mounting opposition from various stakeholders, including senior staff at the VRA.

The VRA’s senior staff, in particular, have strongly opposed the proposed merger, expressing concerns that it would undermine the operational efficiency and stability of the authority.

They have staged demonstrations to register their displeasure, arguing that the merger outlined in the draft bill currently before Parliament would negatively impact the VRA’s ability to manage its resources and deliver reliable energy services.