As part of the measures to cushion the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent lockdown measures adopted by the government to curtail the spread of the novel virus among its citizenry, Ghanaian Government has announced the extension of free electricity and water supply for another three months.
The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta who made this known on Thursday during his Mid-year Budget review said it is because government puts the concerns and aspirations of the ordinary Ghanaian first.
“That is also why we further reduced electricity prices by half and completely provided potable water for free for everybody since March this year. And we will extend it for another three months,” he told Parliament.
In April, President Nana Akufo-Addo announced three months of free electricity for consumers of a particular category, to make up for lost income following a lockdown in Accra and Kumasi due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
He also announced government’s decision to absorb water bills for all Ghanaians for April, May and June following complaints of lack of portable drinking water in many communities affected by the lockdown.
The President Nana said the decision was part of additional measures being taken by government to mitigate the impact the outbreak of the virus is having on the public.
Announcing yet another package for the citizenry, Mr Ofori-Atta said it is meant to ease the burden of the virus that has wreaked havoc the world over.
According to the Minister, the free water initiative would be for all water consumers while the electricity supply would be limited to only lifeline consumers.
“It takes a caring government of the people, and with that, I mean, a Government of all the people, to offer cost-free water to all across the country: representing all domestic and commercial customers in Ghana for three months.
“It takes a caring government to be for the people and for business, large and small, to choose to subsidise electricity consumption by 50 per cent to 4,086,286 households and 686,522 businesses at a cost of ¢1.02 billion in three months. And we will extend the coverage for lifeline customers for another three months,” he said.
Peace Obi
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