The Kejetia Market in Kumasi has been given a September 16, 2024 deadline to clear its outstanding debt of over GHC7 million owed to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

This comes after the market management negotiated a repayment plan with ECG following a three-day blackout due to their failure to adhere to the initial payment schedule.

According to Benjamin Obeng Antwi, Public Relations Officer for ECG-Ashanti West, the repayment plan has now been revised, and the market is expected to follow through with consistent payments over the coming weeks. Speaking in an interview with David Akuetteh on Luv FM, Antwi detailed the schedule.

"By August 30, they are to pay GHC200,000, followed by GHC273,000 by September 6. On September 10, we expect another payment, which includes their legacy debt. The plan covers both May and June bills in addition to the debt. They are to complete payments by September 16, excluding the July bill," Antwi explained.

Efforts to install separate meters for each shop at the market have faced obstacles. Antwi noted that despite a stakeholder meeting held a year or two ago, which aimed to facilitate the separation of individual shops from the bulk meter, the project has stalled.

"We conducted engineering checks and advised them to disconnect the generator from the main meter to avoid complications when it's switched on. We gave them the necessary advice and awaited feedback, but none came, which caused the delay," Antwi added.

Earlier this year, the Kejetia Market management acquired over 1,000 single meters to allow individual shops to measure their own electricity consumption. However, a large number of meters remain unsold as traders have been hesitant to make purchases.

Edmond Kofi Duffuor, Managing Director of Kumasi City Markets, attributed the slow uptake to the traders' financial struggles. "The traders are finding the cost of the meters too high and are already burdened by their unpaid bills. If they can settle their debts, hopefully, everyone will be able to get their meters," he said.

With the repayment plan in place, the market's management is under pressure to meet the agreed deadlines to restore full power and avoid further disruptions.