Can it be achieved through privatisation and liberalisation policies?
Ghana has been experiencing energy crisis since the late 1980’s. There is insufficient supply of electricity which is the main source of energy, due to problems in the generating sector. The major source of electricity generation is hydro. This is supplemented by thermal plant generation, using crude oil. The crisis worsens during the dry season when the dams experience low water levels. The industry is controlled by government, with state owned companies dominating all sectors of the industry. For example, the major generator, Volta River Authority (VRA) is state owned. Distribution and supply are fused and operated by a subsidiary of the VRA and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), also state owned. Following the crisis, some initiative has been taken to liberalise the industry, but the result has been insignificant due to a non-liberalised market. Tariffs set by the regulator, the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC); do not reflect economic trends in the industry, as a
