We don’t owe ECG any debt– Deputy Clerk of Parliament

The Deputy Clerk of Parliament in Ghana has stated that the Parliament does not owe ECG any debt. On Thursday during the SONA by Akufo Addo, ECG cut of electricity power to the parliament. The disconnection, attributed to an alleged outstanding debt of GH¢23 million, sparked widespread discussions and concerns over governance and fiscal responsibility within the nation’s legislative body. However, the Deputy Clerk of Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, firmly countered these claims, insisting that the parliamentary body does not owe ECG as alleged.

Djietror, who oversees the Corporate and Financial Management Services Division, explained that all outstanding debts to ECG had been cleared. He suggested that the misunderstanding arose because the payments had not yet been reflected in ECG’s accounting system. This discrepancy prompted a call for reconciliation between the two entities to ensure all records were accurate and up-to-date. According to Djietror, “We have a breakdown, so we showed it to the deputy managing director (of ECG). We are just coming from his office, that this is what we have done… Any time they come around, they say we owe and we say no, this is it, let us reconcile accounts.”

Further complicating matters, the Deputy Clerk revealed that a GH¢12 million portion of the alleged debt was cleared on February 27, 2024, through the government’s GIFMIS platform, yet this transaction also failed to appear in ECG’s ledgers. This series of events underscores potential systemic issues within financial management and communication processes between state institutions and service providers.

The disconnection of electricity to Parliament House and the adjoining Job 600 office complex, which houses members of Parliament, was not only an administrative inconvenience but also posed a significant safety risk. Djietror highlighted the peril faced by individuals using elevators at the time of the power cut, emphasizing the severity of the situation. This incident draws attention to the broader implications of administrative lapses, extending beyond inconvenience to potential threats to personal safety.

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ECG’s action falls under its ‘Operation Zero Balance’ campaign, aimed at recouping unpaid debts from various customers to stabilize the company’s financial health. While the intention behind the campaign is to ensure fiscal responsibility and accountability, the incident with Parliament highlights the critical need for robust systems that ensure accurate billing and timely communication between entities.

In response to the situation, power was eventually restored to Parliament after claims of a substantial payment towards the arrears were acknowledged by ECG. This resolution, however, leaves lingering questions about the effectiveness of current financial management systems, the need for enhanced inter-institutional communication, and the measures in place to prevent such discrepancies from escalating into public spectacles that can potentially hinder the functioning of crucial government operations.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the intricacies and challenges in managing public finances and underscores the importance of transparency, accountability, and efficiency in all sectors of governance. As Ghana continues to navigate its path towards development and stability, the resolution of such matters with diligence and foresight becomes ever more critical.

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