The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, has mounted a spirited defence of the government’s performance in the energy sector, insisting that the 2026 Budget provides clear evidence of strong leadership and improved management.

Concluding the debate on the budget, he contrasted the current administration’s record with what he called “criminal mismanagement” under the previous government, including the PDS scandal and the loss of $190 million under the MCC Compact.

Mr Ayariga stated that the energy sector under the current administration has been “better managed” than at any time in recent years.

He highlighted the suspension of all new Power Purchase Agreements, migration of non-strategic state facilities to prepaid meters, and the reintroduction of private sector participation without controversy.

He told Parliament, “We will save Ghana $481 million in forex every year with the second gas processing plant, and create 1,500 direct and indirect jobs.”

The Majority Leader went on to praise ECG’s impressive turnaround, crediting Acting Managing Director Ing Julius Kpekpena.

He listed key achievements including a 115% reduction in administrative expenses from the first half of 2024 to the same period in 2025, a renegotiated Hubtel contract that now saves GHC13.2 million monthly, and a record-breaking GHC1.7 billion revenue collection in June 2025.

“This proud product of Keta Secondary School and St Augustine’s College has proven that Ghanaians have what it takes to turn things around,” he said.

Addressing the inherited challenges, Mr Ayariga noted that ECG owed power producers over GHC60 billion as of December 2024, while the broader energy sector owed $1.46 billion.

He argued that the current administration’s reforms have stabilised the situation, with IPP legacy debts reduced from $1.4 billion to $1.1 billion and reprofiled over four years.

“We are fully current on IPP payments,” he emphasised, pointing to the $300 million paid in 2025.

He concluded that the achievements highlighted in the budget are evidence of strong leadership and effective policy direction.

“This is a budget that will generate growth,” Mr Ayariga insisted. “We have moved from chaos to competence, and the results are clear for all to see.”