President John Dramani Mahama has revealed that Ghana has spent more than $8 billion over the past nine years to address financial shortfalls in the energy sector.

Speaking during a Presidential Encounter with Organised Labour on March 17, the president noted that in 2025 alone, government paid about $1.57 billion to settle legacy debts, further deepening the fiscal burden.

According to him, persistent inefficiencies, particularly in revenue collection and distribution, continue to weaken the sector and drain critical resources.

He explains that these losses are limiting the country’s ability to improve wages, enhance working conditions and expand social protection.

‘Over the past nine years, Ghana has spent more than $8 billion to address financial shortfalls only in the energy sector. And in 2025, alone, the government paid approximately $1.57 billion to settle legacy debts.

“Meanwhile, inefficiencies, especially in revenue collection, at the billing as well as metering, continue to undermine the whole energy sector.

“These losses directly impact the economy’s ability to improve wages, enhance working conditions, and expand social protection,” he said.

President Mahama revealed that government is pursuing reforms aimed at restoring discipline and improving efficiency across the energy sector.