The US has responded to Ghana government’s decision to terminate the power concession agreement with the Power Distribution Services. In a statement, the US said it notes this decision with regret.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) which is the US partner, helping Ghana with some GH¢500million says the second tranche of the money, GH¢190million is no longer available as a result of the termination.
On October 19, 2019, the Government of Ghana (GoG) informed the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) in Washington, D.C. of its decision to terminate the concession agreement between Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and private operator Power Distribution Services Ghana Ltd (PDS). The United States of America notes this decision with regret. Based upon the conclusions of the independent forensic investigation, the U.S. position is that the transfer of operations, maintenance, and management of the Southern Distribution Network to the private concessionaire on March 1, 2019, was valid, and therefore the termination is unwarranted. As such, MCC has confirmed that the $190 million funds granted to Ghana at the March 1 transfer to the 20-year concession from ECG to PDS are no longer available. The United States underscores the importance of contract sanctity as essential to a conducive investment climate and a pre-condition for inclusive economic growth. In this spirit, the United States has worked with the Government of Ghana since
the latter’s
July 30 suspension of the concession in the hopes of finding a mutually acceptable solution that respected contract sanctity and
the Government of Ghana’s interest in restructurin
g the concession. Moving forward, the U.S. Government, through MCC, will continue to implement the Tranche I funds of $308 million with the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA). This funding will continue to support important improvements to the infras
tructure of Ghana’s southern distribution
network, increase reliability and power access to key markets, and advance energy efficiency programs directly benefiting the people of Ghana. The U.S. Government is a committed partner and has full confidence in MiDA to lead the joint effort to deliver the projects funded through the $308 million remaining under the MCC Ghana Power Compact. The U.S. Government looks forward to continuing to work together with MiDA and the Government of Ghana to implement the remainder of the Power Compact. Background: On March 1, 2019, Ghana Power Distribution Services, Ltd. (PDS) assumed operation and management of the staff and assets of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) under a 20-year concession agreement. Private sector participation is a central reform under
MCC’s Ghana Power
Public Affairs Section of the
Embassy of the United States of America in Ghana
SHE BLOGS REALTY 
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