Public universities owe GH¢30 million in utility bills

Public universities in the country owe over 30 million Ghana Cedis in utility bills.

The University of Ghana owes GH¢14,936, 868 in electricity and GH¢2,585,232 in water bills. The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology owes GH¢9,368,487 in electricity and GH¢1,842,687 in water bills. 

The University of Mines and Technology owes GH¢553,047 in electricity bills and GH¢160,456 in water bills, the university of education Winneba owes GH¢3,414,287 and GH¢1,300,604 while the University of Energy and Natural Resources owes GH¢880,135 in electricity and GH¢200,471 in water.

The figures did not include that of the University of Cape Coast, the University of Development Studies and the University of Health and Allied Science and the University of Professional Studies, Accra.

The figure does not include bills of other tertiary institutions and the senior high schools. 

Speaking at a public lecture at the University of Cape Coast Wednesday, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Seth Terkper said government was ready to disclose the true state of the nation to Ghanaians.

He was speaking on the topic “Challenges and Experiences of Managing the Economy of Ghana.”

Mr Seth Terpker, an alumnus of UCC suggested more efficient ways of using utilities, reiterating the need for the adoption of pre-paid electricity meters for use on the campuses.

He said there was the need to be more efficient and to check illegal use of electricity and also consider moving from the use of conventional electricity to biogas and solar.

He noted that “if we do not make these corrections, we would continue to have a legacy of subsidies which has often brought the nation to its knees.” 

He indicated that though government was obliged to pay, the dispute was whether or not government could continue to pay the huge cost. He failed to comment on whether or not students would eventually be required to pay for utilities.

Mr Terpker further called for a concerted effort to put in a lot of gas infrastructure to augment electricity supply.

He said the World Bank had confirmed that Ghana’s growth was going to increase significantly in 2017 saying those gains must be consolidated.

He said despite the up and down swing and the challenges facing the country’s economy it was important to note that the country had made positive economic growth in the last 30 years.