The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) has appealed to the government to intervene and settle its outstanding electricity debt of GH¢13.6 million, describing it as a legacy burden inherited from shared state infrastructure.
Speaking during President Mahama’s visit to the state media, the Director-General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Prof. Amin Alhassan, explained that the debt dates back several years to a period when state institutions shared power infrastructure and were not individually metered.
According to him, when ECG later installed meters, some state agencies disconnected from the shared system and sought alternative power sources, leaving GBC with unpaid arrears.
The Director-General disclosed that GBC has already paid about GH¢5 million this year but still faces a substantial balance, appealing to the government to intervene to ensure the public broadcaster continues to function effectively and maintain its service to Ghanaians without undue financial burden.
“One issue that gives us sleepless nights is the legacy debt from ECG and NEDCO. These debts were not generated by GBC alone. In the past, when government agencies, including the military, police, and national security, shared power infrastructure at GBC, they drew electricity from the same source. When meters were later installed in GBC’s name, the debt started accumulating under GBC.
“When we drew their attention, these agencies disconnected, leaving the accumulated debt for GBC to pay. Currently, we have paid GH¢5 million, but we still have an outstanding debt of GH¢13.6 million. We are appealing for the government to take care of this legacy debt,” he said.
