In a recent development, Accra Academy Senior High School found itself plunged into darkness due to a power cut, raising questions about the efficacy of utility payment structures within the Free SHS Secretariat.
Mr. Kwasi Kwarteng, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, shed light on the issue, revealing a potential discrepancy between payment processing at the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) headquarters and its local operational units.
According to Mr Kwarteng, the Free SHS Secretariat operates under a structured payment plan for utilities, where electricity bills from ECG are consolidated and processed quarterly for payment across its schools. However, the recent power cut at Accra Academy suggests a disconnect between the centralized payment system and the local units responsible for disconnections.
“This discrepancy highlights a potential gap between ECG headquarters, where payments are made, and its local operational units responsible for disconnections,” Mr Kwarteng emphasized.
The situation at Accra Academy brings into question the effectiveness of the current utility payment mechanism, as any disconnection should logically affect all schools under the Free SHS Secretariat rather than being selective. Mr Kwarteng stressed the importance of addressing this gap to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Ministry of Education urges stakeholders to collaborate in resolving this issue promptly, ensuring uninterrupted access to essential services for all educational institutions under the Free SHS program. Further updates on this matter are expected as investigations continue.
Read the full statement below:
