The Cape Coast Sports Stadium is facing a power outage due to an unpaid legacy debt of GH¢513,000.00. The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has cut off power supply to the stadium as part of its efforts to reduce its debtors’ current debts. The move is part of ECG’s revenue mobilization drive to retrieve outstanding debts owed by individuals, organizations, and businesses to the company.
According to Mr. Alexander Tieku, the Central Regional Sports Director, the management is working tirelessly to restore the power supply to enable the effective operation of businesses within the facility. The facility not only serves as a stadium but also provides space for various businesses, including hostels, clinics, restaurants, offices, and gym centers. Any delay in restoring the power supply could cause damages to the businesses.
Mr. Tieku mentioned that the management had made some payments towards the debt and had negotiated with ECG to repay the remaining balance in due course. He also disclosed that the facility had only one post-paid meter serving the entire facility, causing the high daily bills. The facility had agreed with ECG to install a pre-paid meter to enable the occupants to pay their own bills and prevent the active disconnection of the facility.
Currently, only one out of the twenty-one meters requested by the facility has been installed by ECG to offload the pressure on the post-paid meter of the facility. Business owners within the facility have expressed concern about the situation, which has affected the smooth running of their businesses. One anonymous occupant noted that the power outage has caused damage to many electrical appliances at their shop, describing the situation as “frustrating” and “devastating.”
The occupant appealed to the management to put in place the necessary measures to restore the power supply for effective resumption of business. Albert Anim, whose name was withheld, also disclosed that they have paid all their bills accordingly and were disturbed by the situation. He expressed optimism that the current occupants of the facility had paid all their bills and that the debts might be an outstanding debt.
The Cape Coast Sports Stadium is the only state-owned company affected by ECG’s nationwide power cut.
