• Ghana denies load shedding, says power generation meets current demand
• Outages in Accra, Kumasi blamed on distribution network operational issues
• Government pursues gas, renewables to cut costs and reform power sector

After power outages reported in recent weeks in several parts of Ghana, the government has sought to reassure the public. Energy Minister John Jinapor said the country is not undergoing scheduled load shedding.

“I wish to state unequivocally that there has been no load shedding for over ten months, and there is no deficit in power generation,” he said on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, after meeting with heads of key power-sector agencies.

Outages blamed on operational issues

In a Facebook post, Jinapor said available generation capacity remains sufficient to meet current demand. He attributed the outages reported in some areas, including Accra and Kumasi, to operational problems, mainly within the distribution network.

He said he had instructed the relevant agencies to submit an immediate plan with timelines to resolve the difficulties.

The remarks come as Ghana’s power sector faces ongoing reforms. In January 2026, authorities announced they had secured $1.47 billion to clear accumulated arrears.

As reported by Ecofin Agency, the unpaid bills have strained the sector’s finances, particularly affecting independent power producers and fuel suppliers.

Shift toward gas and renewables

At the same time, the government has set an objective to cut electricity generation costs by around 75% by increasing the use of natural gas. The strategy, reported by local media in November 2025, aims to make greater use of domestic gas resources and reduce reliance on more expensive fuels.

Steps have also been taken to strengthen governance in the renewable energy sector, as solar and other clean sources expand to meet rising demand.

In an October 2025 statement, Jinapor said Ghana aims to raise the share of renewable energy to 10% by 2030 and 50% by 2060. The targets exclude large hydropower projects and focus mainly on solar and wind, in line with the Renewable Energy Master Plan (REMP) and the country’s broader energy transition strategy.

Abdel-Latif Boureima