According to ECG, these fraudsters contact customers under the guise of helping them secure new meters or fix meter-related problems, often claiming that the company has received a fresh supply of meters. They then proceed to request personal details or money from unsuspecting victims.

In some cases, the impostors reportedly use photographs of ECG staff downloaded from online platforms to impersonate legitimate officials and extort money.

Dr. Charles Nii Ayiku Ayiku, General Manager of External Relations at ECG, in an interview clarified that the company has not authorised any individual or third-party agent to privately reach out to customers about meter issues.

“We are aware of people calling customers and pretending to be ECG staff, claiming they can help them get a new meter because meters are now available. This is completely false,” he stressed.

Dr. Ayiku explained that ECG does not distribute meters through private calls and urged customers to only apply for new meters or address related issues at ECG offices or through official digital platforms.

He confirmed that while the company has indeed received new meters to enhance operations, all distributions are handled transparently through approved application processes.

“Customers should never pay anyone who promises to get them a meter outside our official channels. These are fraudulent schemes aimed at deceiving the public,” he warned.

Dr. Ayiku further reminded customers that ECG does not operate any mobile money account, adding that all financial transactions must be done through the ECG Power App or by dialling *226#.

ECG encouraged customers to report suspicious calls to the nearest ECG office or contact its customer service line on 0302 611 611 for verification. Those defrauded are also advised to report the incidents to the police.

The company reaffirmed its commitment to protecting customers from scams while maintaining transparency and improving service delivery nationwide.

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The donation which took place on Friday, 31st October, 2025 saw the Ashanti West Power Queens donate wheelchairs, packs of water, sanitary pads, tissues, food items, assorted drinks and other items worth GHS 35,000.

The group also made a cash donation of an undisclosed amount to the centre to alleviate the financial burden on the facility.
The Physically Challenged Action Foundation is home to many physically challenged persons from homes and streets in Ghana.

The facility ensures the rehabilitation of the students and offering them a vocation to live independently from their source of livelihood.

The foundation since its establishment over four decades ago has trained over 2000 people with special needs and disability.

In a short ceremony to hand over the items, Queen Rita Adjei, President of Ashanti West Power Queens’ Club elaborated that the group’s donation to the facility was borne out of their commitment to supporting the society under their corporate social responsibilities.

“This gesture forms part of ECG Power Queens’ Club programs geared towards improving the welfare and livelihood of the underprivileged. We heard of the plight of our brothers and sisters, we were touched and decided to support them with the little we have,” she noted.

She further appealed to the general public not to ridicule or discriminate against persons with disability but rather support them to have a comfortable life.

ECG District Manager for Offinso, Mrs. Ruth Boatemaa Boateng, indicated that the power distribution company was not only mandated to provide electricity to homes but to also commit to every aspect of humanity that improves lives.

“As a company, we are committed to delivering quality, reliable and safe electricity services to support the socioeconomic growth of the country. In view of this commitment, Improving the livelihoods of our cherished customers through stable power supply or any other means of support is part of our operations, hence this kind gesture of our club to alleviate the plight of our brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers and children”, she said.

Founder of the Physically Challenged Action Foundation, Sylvester Barimah Antwi, expressed the centre’s profound gratitude to ECG Ashanti West Power Queens for the kind gesture.

He disclosed the items have arrived at an opportune time to support the centre, considering the increasing number of students at the facility.

He further called on corporate Ghana and other State-owned enterprises to emulate the kind gesture as the facility continues to rely on donors to provide opportunities for persons with disability.

The ECG Power Queens’ Club is an association of female workers of the power distribution company that promotes gender inclusion and addresses social injustice.

Source: Stephanie Frimpong

The directive follows findings in the 2023 Auditor-General’s Report, which revealed that ECG overspent on at least 13 budget lines without prior approval from its governing board.

During Tuesday’s PAC sitting on October 28, Ranking Member Samuel Atta-Mills criticised ECG’s management, describing their actions as a blatant breach of financial discipline and a violation of corporate governance rules.

According to the report, ECG had approved budgets of GH₵2.8 million for staff fuel, GH₵4.2 million for communication, GH₵40 million for consultancy, and GH₵3.1 million for stakeholder engagement. However, the company ended up spending GH₵3.6 million, GH₵7.9 million, GH₵58.6 million, and GH₵49 million, respectively, all without board authorisation.

Expressing disbelief, Mr. Atta-Mills remarked, “Staff fuel, did they drive around the world? The budget was GH₵2.8 million, and you spent GH₵3.6 million. Communication expenses, you budgeted GH₵4.2 million but spent GH₵7.9 million. Consultancy, GH₵40 million was approved, but you used GH₵58.6 million. Stakeholders’ expenses, from GH₵3.1 million to GH₵49 million, and you still want to increase tariffs?”

He called for immediate sanctions, insisting that those responsible for the excessive spending face legal action to serve as a deterrent.

PAC Chair Abena Osei Asare also urged ECG to strengthen its internal control mechanisms and ensure that all future expenditures are properly sanctioned by the board before execution.

Source: Adomonline

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Executives of the power distribution company, led by the Chief Executive, appeared before the committee to answer questions over unapproved expenditures amounting to GH¢189.2 million, as captured in the 2024 Auditor-General’s Report.

The Ranking Member on the Committee, Samuel Atta Mills, strongly criticised the company’s financial management, describing it as a “display of fiscal indiscipline” and a blatant disregard for due process.

He noted that ECG’s spending in several key areas far exceeded approved budgets, calling the figures “alarming and unacceptable.”

Mr. Atta Mills cited several instances of excessive spending, revealing that while ECG budgeted GH¢2.8 million for staff fuel, the company spent GH¢3.6 million instead.

“On staff fuel, ECG budgeted GH¢2.8 million but spent GH¢3.6 million. Did they drive around the world?” he quipped.

He further highlighted other discrepancies, including communication costs that rose from GH¢4.2 million to GH¢7.9 million, consultancy services that increased from GH¢40 million to GH¢58.6 million, and industrial relations spending that surged from GH¢2 million to GH¢13 million.

Similarly, stakeholder engagement costs shot up from GH¢3.1 million to GH¢49 million, publicity costs climbed from GH¢5.7 million to GH¢21.8 million, professional fees and subscriptions increased from GH¢731,000 to GH¢1.5 million, while overseas travel expenses jumped from GH¢14 million to GH¢29.8 million.

Even call centre operations, budgeted at GH¢23.5 million, recorded GH¢29.3 million in actual spending.

Overall, ECG’s total approved budget of GH¢144 million ballooned to GH¢333 million — more than double its allocation.

Describing the situation as “financial recklessness,” Mr. Atta Mills urged the enforcement of sanctions under Section 96 of the Public Financial Management Act (Act 921) against those responsible.

“This level of recklessness cannot go unpunished. Those managers who were involved should face the Attorney-General for prosecution — it’s that simple,” he stated.

The revelations have reignited calls for greater accountability at ECG, especially as the company continues to push for higher electricity tariffs amid widespread public frustration over billing challenges and operational inefficiencies.

Source: Adomonline

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Speaking during a working visit to the ECG headquarters in Accra on Friday, October 17, Mr. Jinapor said the Attorney General is reviewing the report and assured that individuals found culpable will be prosecuted.

He commended key stakeholders, including staff of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GHAPOHA), the National Security Coordinator, and the Chief of Staff, for their roles in retrieving the containers.

“As Minister, I will not tolerate such occurrences again. The full document has been forwarded to the Attorney General, and if anyone is found culpable, the law will take its course,” he stated.

Mr. Jinapor further revealed that ECG’s management has reviewed 347 contracts and terminated 202 of them without any financial or legal consequences, describing the move as a step toward efficiency and accountability.

The issue of the missing containers first came to light in March 2025 when the Energy Ministry announced that about 1,300 ECG containers could not be traced. Following investigations, a special committee traced over 2,600 containers, with about 1,500 subsequently cleared from the ports.

Source: AdomOnline

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However, businesses, particularly Fast-Moving Consumer Goods and Oil Marketing Companies, that rely heavily on grid-powered electricity for operations would experience a modest uptick in operational charges.

According to IC Research, a leading financial and investment research firm, this strengthens the case for TOTALEnergies to sustain the ongoing solarisation of its service stations which contributed to the containment of operational expenditure growth at 12.9% year-on-year in half-year 2025 (below average inflation).

However, Fan Milk PLC will likely face further cost headwinds in the quarters ahead, having grappled with a 44.2% year-on-year growth in operational expenditure in the first-half of 2025.

It continued that the government renewed commitment to the quarterly adjustment formula is positive for the energy sector as it helps stakeholders move towards what they perceive as “cost reflective tariff”.

“Also, we continue to observe compliance by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) with the Cash Waterfall Mechanism agreed for paying service providers within the energy sector. The ECG has fully complied with payments so far this year, partly due to the enforcement of a Treasury Single Account for the ECG”, it added.

It mentioned that latest available data (July 2025) revealed that the ECG fully complied with the agreed disbursement amounts for all Level A beneficiaries (seven IPPs and two fuel suppliers) and Level B beneficiaries (State entities in the sector).

From June 2025 to September 2025, the Government of Ghana via the Ministry of Finance disbursed a total of US$682.31 million to support the energy sector. This figure comprises of US$94.04 million for liquid fuel, US$152.38 million for IPPs, and US$435.88 million for gas supplies and transportation services.

Source: Joy Business

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The companies were part of 347 others whose contracts were audited and identified to be underperforming and creating inefficiencies.

The termination of the contracts has, thus, released the ECG from potential liabilities exceeding $227 million.

In addition, the ECG has also renegotiated its contract with Hubtel, with a contracted scope of work and a downward revision of its commission from three per cent to 1.65 per cent.

Hubtel provides some services to the ECG, including the use of the power app, and serves as a bill processing interface for the power distribution company.

The amendments were, thus, made to the initial contract.

The General Manager for External Communications at ECG, Dr Charles Nii Ayiku Ayiku, disclosed this to the Daily Graphic last Friday to throw light on what the ECG Managing Director, Julius Kpekpena, had told the Energy Committee of Parliament on the same day.

Highest profit, weak enforcement

The General Manager for External Communications said ECG also recorded its highest-ever monthly revenue in July 2025, collecting GH¢1.74 billion for that month, setting a new financial record for the power distribution company.

Dr Ayiku said following the audit, management realised that there were some weak enforcements in the company’s procurement processes.

Again, he said, management noticed that there were underperforming contracts creating inefficiencies in the system and adverse financial exposure of the company.

“So, the solution was to introduce new reforms, employ and tighten the company’s procurement processes through contract rationalisation,” he said.

The measures to prevent inefficiencies from recurring, among others, included Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), driven budget controls and competitive tendering.

Those, Dr Ayiku said, aligned supplies with the operational needs of the company to control unplanned spending.

The controls and competitive tendering, he added, aligned supplies with operational needs and “so if we don’t need it, we would not procure it”.

He said if there was the need to undertake procurement, the company would carry out competitive tendering processes, adding that “with our tightened procurement processes we would be able to manage these kinds of supplies”.

The move, Dr. Ayiku said, would curb wasteful spending by the company.

Asked if the company was making some savings with the abrogation of the contract, he said, Obviously, that was exceeding $200 million.

Other steps taken, Dr Ayiku said, were to ensure that ECG complied with the cash waterfall mechanism even though allocations to ECG were not enough to meet the cost of its operations, but “we would continue to comply.”

Containers

The General Manager, External Communications said the company had been able to trace its containers after investigations were carried out by ECG and the sector ministry.

After the investigation, “we established that the containers were at the port but at different terminals.

There are so many terminals, so it was difficult to identify them, but with the support of the port authorities, we did that,” Dr Ayiku explained.

He said in the report of the port authorities, out of 2,500 containers, 33 were not immediately identified on the ground, and the partners were currently tracing the remaining 33.

ECG was also moving the traced containers to its warehouses, with 1,000 so far moved.

“When we conclude this exercise, we will definitely inform Ghanaians about the status of the containers,” Dr Ayiku added.

The company, he said, was poised to provide stable and reliable power to the country.

Source: Graphic.com.gh

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The exercise began on Tuesday, September 9, and will run until Tuesday, September 30, 2025.

The campaign targets all customer categories with arrears, including residential, commercial, industrial, and government institutions such as Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). ECG explained that the operation will involve bill distribution, as well as the capturing and reporting of streetlight and SHEP meters.

Special task teams will oversee the exercise and have the authority to apprehend and prosecute individuals involved in illegal connections, unauthorised reconnections, or any actions obstructing the process.

Customers with unpaid bills are urged to settle their balances promptly to avoid disconnection and the additional cost of reconnection fees.

ECG also encouraged the public to use official payment channels, including the ECG Mobile App or by visiting their nearest office, for support in accessing bills. The initiative is designed to improve operational efficiency and ensure a consistent, reliable electricity supply nationwide.

Source: Adomonline

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The exercise, aimed at improving service delivery, will take place between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. in the Greater Accra Region and from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Tema Region.

In the Greater Accra Region, the affected areas include Gbawe Gonse, Joma Agbozome, Shiabu, Gbegbeyise Beach Road, Sowutuom, Israel, Race Course, Akropong Larteh, Abiriw, Akwuapem, Mampong, Adukrom, Amanokrom, Obosomase, Awukugua, Benkum, and surrounding communities.

For customers in the Tema Region, the maintenance will affect Dawhenya, Abbekope, Kpong, Nuaso, Kpongunor, Odumase, Kojonya, Atua, Sawer, Somanya, Dawa, Sege, Korluedor, Addo Kope, Big Ada, Ada Foah, Inglisi, Totope, Azizanya, Treasure Island, Aqua Safari, and their environs.

ECG has apologised to customers in the affected areas for any inconvenience the exercise may cause and urged them to make necessary arrangements.

Source: Graphic.com.gh

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Out of 700 complaints lodged between January and June in the Greater Accra Region, the PURC resolved 689, representing 98 per cent. These resolutions resulted in payments totalling GH¢4,295,445.64 to ECG and GH¢173,986.60 to customers.

Greater Accra Regional Manager of PURC Madam Gifty Bruce-Nelson said a combined GH¢4,469,432.25 was disbursed to utility providers and consumers to promote sustainability and satisfaction.

“Quality of service tops the lists of complaints with 450 complaints where customers have challenges including frequent outages, faulty transformers, broken poles, faces going off, no flow of water, and low pressure on water flow amongst others,” she said.

Madam Bruce-Nelson noted that complaints also included billing discrepancies, malfunctioning meters, and property damage due to outages.

Most reports were submitted electronically (406), with others via phone (117), walk-ins (56), written submissions (53), toll-free calls (21), and field visits (4).

Compared to the same period in 2024, 804 complaints were made, with 233 electronic submissions.

That year, ECG recovered GH¢11,441,875.55 and customers received GH¢552,972.69 through PURC’s efforts.

In her mid-year briefing, Madam Bruce-Nelson indicated that 555 complaints (79 per cent) were against ECG, 109 (16 per cent) against Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), and 36 (5 per cent) against customers.

She said the Commission had intensified public education efforts, conducted 20 visits to ECG service centres, and engaged in community, prepaid, and industrial monitoring.

“Power supply in all the communities visited was quite stable except for the Volo community, which complained of frequent power outages, which sometimes last for two days before power is restored.

“Most postpaid meters in the community are SHEP meters which are not captured in the ECG system,” she noted.

In 2024, ECG recovered GH¢29,080,692.20 from 17 institutions out of a total debt of GH¢33,807,691.20, and customers received GH¢867,535.67.

That year, 1,444 complaints were lodged, with 99 per cent resolved.

Source: GNA  

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In a statement released on Thursday, July 17, ECG indicated that the exercise is scheduled between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. Affected areas include Ateiku, Esaman, Jerusalem, Akyempim, Akosombo, Kubekrom, Nsadweso, Subrie, and surrounding communities.

“The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) will undertake planned maintenance works to improve service delivery,” the statement said, adding:
“ECG regrets the inconvenience that will arise out of this exercise.”

The company urged residents in the affected communities to take necessary precautions and make alternative arrangements during the period of the outage.

Meanwhile, in a separate development, residents in parts of the Ashanti Region are also experiencing unexpected power cuts due to a technical fault caused by fallen conductors at Sokoban Krofrom Brotherman.

The Ashanti West Regional Office of ECG, in a notice issued on Friday, July 18, explained that engineers are currently on-site working to rectify the issue and restore power to the affected areas.

“The outage being experienced is as a result of fallen conductors at Sokoban Krofrom Brotherman,” the statement noted.
“ECG wishes to assure affected customers that our engineers are working to rectify the fault and restore supply.”

Communities affected by the emergency outage include Ampabame, Aboabokese, Kwanwoma, Konkori, Paah, Pakyi No. 1 & 2, Trede, and surrounding areas.

“ECG regrets the inconvenience caused to the affected customers,” the statement concluded.

The dual announcements come amid growing public concern over frequent power outages across the country, with residents urging the utility company to improve infrastructure and response times.

Residents in both the Western and Ashanti Regions are advised to stay updated through ECG’s communication channels for further information on restoration timelines.

Source: graphic.com.gh

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In a public notice issued on Saturday, July 12, 2025, ECG stated that the exercise will take place between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., during which power supply to the affected areas will be interrupted.

The specific areas to be affected include Tunga Down, Dunyo, Mayera, Abedi Pele, Satellite, GHS Housing, New Bortianor, Red Top, East Legon, Ministry of Energy Residence, Gasemany House, Teshie Camp 2, Tebibianor, Tseaddo Roundabout, and surrounding communities.

“ECG regrets the inconvenience that will arise out of this exercise,” the statement read.

The company encouraged residents in the affected areas to take note of the scheduled outage and make the necessary arrangements to minimise the impact on their daily activities.

The planned maintenance forms part of ECG’s ongoing commitment to delivering a more reliable and efficient power distribution network across the country.

Customers with concerns or in need of further clarification are advised to contact ECG through its official channels or visit www.ecg.com.gh.

Source: Graphic.com.gh

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The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has announced that several parts of the country will experience temporary power outages on Sunday, July 13, 2025.

This is due to planned maintenance work aimed at improving service delivery and strengthening the reliability of the power distribution network.

In a public notice issued on Friday, July 4, ECG stated that the maintenance exercise will take place between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., affecting both residential and industrial areas.

According to the statement, the affected locations include Mckeon, Westrafo, Sky Quarries, Chase Petroleum, Gold Recoveries, Sethi Realty, Abodakpi Farms, Ghana Steel, and Kpone—specifically the Dumpsite and Kokompe zones. Other impacted areas are Global Haulage, Franpac, Atlas, Slaughter House, Sonapak, Nissan Assembly Plant, Vehrad Transport, Isopanel, Legon 5, and surrounding communities.

ECG expressed regret for the inconvenience the outage may cause but stressed that the maintenance work is necessary to ensure a more reliable and stable power supply.

“The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) will undertake planned maintenance works to improve service delivery,” the notice read. “We regret the inconvenience that will arise out of this exercise.”

The utility company urged residents and businesses in the affected areas to take the necessary precautions and plan accordingly.

Source: Graphiconline

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According to ECG, the exercise forms part of ongoing efforts to enhance service delivery and ensure a more stable power distribution system. In three separate notices issued by the company, the maintenance works are scheduled to take place between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. in various locations.

Greater Accra Region

Areas expected to be affected include:
Glefe, Wiaboman, Odorkor, Awoshie, Mandela, SCC, Sunny Coast, Korkordjor, Gbawe, Alogboshie, Achimota Neoplan, Benjilo, Asofa, Amen Amen, Omandjor, Tesano, Alajo, Adenta Estate, Adenta Container, Ashaley Botwe Town, Ashongman Pure Water, Ashongman Estates, Osu, and surrounding areas.

The outage in these areas is expected to last from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Tema Region

In the Tema region, ECG says power will be interrupted between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

The affected areas include:
Kpong, Nuaso, Kpongunor, Agormanya, Odumase, Kojonya, Atua, Sawer, Okornya, Somanya, Jericho, Roman Down, Under Bridge Market, State School for the Deaf, Kanawu, Adjei Kojo, Community 25, Bulasu, Ghana Flag, Afienya Zongo, and surrounding areas.

“ECG will undertake planned maintenance works to improve service delivery,” the company said in all three notices. “ECG regrets the inconvenience that will arise out of this exercise.”

Residents and businesses in the affected communities are advised to plan accordingly and take the necessary precautions to minimise the impact of the temporary outage. ECG has assured the public that power will be restored immediately after the completion of the maintenance works.

Source: Graphic.com.gh 

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The Managing Director of Rehoboth Estate, William Sasu, confirmed this at a press conference on Wednesday.

Mr. Sasu noted that the company is working closely with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to address all concerns regarding meter requests.

He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to maintaining transparent and professional relationships with all regulatory bodies and service providers.

According to him, Rehoboth Estate engages third-party contractors to build houses for sale to the general public and does not directly manage electrical installations or the workers of these independent contractors.

He clarified that the block factory mentioned in some reports is owned by a vendor, separate and distinct from Rehoboth Estate.

“ECG is clearly aware that Rehoboth Estate is not the owner of the block factory, as the owner of the block factory made an application directly to them. Furthermore, the ECG district office has been paying frequent visits to the estate, so it is impossible that they would overlook any illegal activity related to the production of blocks,” he stated.

Mr. Sasu added that while electricity supply is the constitutional right of citizens and the statutory responsibility of government and ECG, Rehoboth Estate has demonstrated exceptional commitment by investing its own resources in comprehensive electrification infrastructure.

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According to PURC, the increment, which takes effect from July 1, 2025, is part of its quarterly tariff review mechanism.

The adjustment applies to residential, non-residential, and Special Load Tariff (SLT) customers, and is based on a detailed analysis of macroeconomic and operational factors, including inflation, exchange rate fluctuations, and rising fuel costs.

In a statement, PURC explained that the review is necessary to sustain utility service providers and ensure a reliable electricity supply.

The statement noted that the adjustment takes into account a projected average inflation rate of 20.67%, a Ghana Cedi to US Dollar exchange rate of GHS10.3052, and an increase in the Weighted Average Cost of Gas (WACoG) to USD 7.7134/MMBtu.

“The Commission has carefully analysed the existing parameters and, considering the competitiveness of industries and the general living conditions of Ghanaians, has approved a 2.45% increase in electricity tariffs across board and a 0% increment in water tariffs,” the statement said.

The third quarter’s generation mix remains unchanged, with 28.8% from hydro sources and 71.2% from thermal sources. The Commission also considered GHS488 million in outstanding revenues from previous quarters, as well as the cost implications of maintaining reserve capacity to ensure grid stability.

Summary of Key Adjustments:

• Lifeline customers (0–30kWh): tariff increases from GHp77.63/kWh to GHp79.53/kWh

• Residential users (0–300kWh): new tariff at GHp180.19/kWh

• Non-residential users (301+kWh): adjusted to GHp202.17/kWh

• High Voltage Mines customers: tariff rises from GHp495.93 to GHp508.09/kWh

The Commission emphasised that these quarterly reviews are not arbitrary but are necessary to maintain the real value of tariffs in the face of economic pressures and to support the financial health of utility service providers.

Consumers are urged to take note of the new tariffs and plan accordingly, as the adjustment takes effect next month.

Meanwhile, PURC confirmed that water tariffs will remain unchanged for the third quarter of 2025, maintaining a 0.00% adjustment rate.

Despite facing similar cost pressures as electricity, the Commission concluded that the current water rates are sustainable for now—offering some relief to consumers amid broader economic challenges.

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In a statement, ECG said the exercise will begin on Monday, June 16, and run through to Friday, June 27, 2025.

It will target all categories of customers in arrears and will include inspections of prepaid meters to verify their integrity.

ECG has, therefore, advised all customers who owe the company to settle their bills promptly to avoid disconnection and the payment of reconnection fees.

The company further warned that self-reconnection after disconnection constitutes a criminal offence and will attract legal consequences.

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Read the full statement below:

Speaking on Joy News’ Newsfile on Saturday, May 17, Professor Bokpin said ECG’s technical and commercial losses—currently hovering around 40%—are dangerously high.

“Even if you’re doing 15%, it is very high,” he stated. “But 40%? That is simply not sustainable. With that level of losses, you cannot talk about realistic pricing. You cannot pass on all those losses to the ultimate consumer.”

He expressed deep concern over the country’s ongoing energy crisis.

“Apart from irresponsible mining, including illegal mining, what causes me sleepless nights is the energy sector,” he said.

According to him, both the NDC and NPP have failed to effectively tackle the issue, and it’s time to remove politics from energy sector management.

“We’ve seen the track records of both the NDC and the NPP, and at this point, we can no longer do politics with it. The politicisation doesn’t help. There are fundamental issues that need to be resolved.”

He noted that, in addition to the 40% distribution losses, collection inefficiencies are also troubling.

“Collection losses are close to 15%. That’s again above the world average. It’s not sustainable,” he said.

Professor Bokpin also highlighted problems with electricity pricing.

“There are tariff gaps. The pricing formula does not fully reflect the costs. You cannot ignore that when you talk about viability,” he explained.

He further condemned the failure of government institutions to pay their electricity bills, worsening ECG’s financial woes.

“We’ve heard the minister say it’s about time ministries, departments, and agencies take responsibility for their energy consumption,” he recalled. “There are sensitive government installations, including some educational institutions and police stations, that do not pay for electricity.”

He shared a disturbing anecdote to illustrate how deep the problem runs.

“Someone once asked me if I’d ever thought about where the ice blocks come from that pure water sellers use. They joked that it’s probably from police stations. I’m not saying this is true, but if this is even a possibility, then we have a big problem.”

According to him, the entire system is fundamentally broken and cannot support Ghana’s future energy needs.

“If you put all these things together, there is no way we can see a future in this direction,” he stressed.

“And yet you have a government talking about a 24-hour economy. You are not even getting power for your eight-hour economy cycle, and you’re talking about 24 hours?”

Professor Bokpin argued that ECG’s current management model is unsustainable and must be reformed.

“We should all support government in some kind of private sector participation in the downstream distribution,” he urged.

“This is different from saying we are selling ECG. Government can still be the sole shareholder, but we must invite the private sector into power distribution and revenue collection.”

He said private sector involvement would bring in the capital and efficiency the state alone cannot provide.

“On this current model, I don’t think it is sustainable,” he added.

“There are structural reforms under the IMF-supported programme that require clear indicators to be met. I know cabinet has to take a decision on ECG in terms of private sector participation, and I believe government must communicate this clearly to Ghanaians.”

He concluded with a stern warning: “We are at a point where we must be honest with ourselves. The current path is not working. We need bold reforms.”

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Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile, Ahiagbah criticised the NDC for entering into agreements that obligated the state to provide fuel to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) without cost recovery mechanisms, a decision he labeled as “sinful” and economically damaging.

“I have not come to settle in my mind why we signed power purchase agreements where we agree to provide fuel for IPPs without recovering the cost. They just bill us, and we pay,” he said.

He referenced World Bank critiques, which reportedly described such contracts as “expensive and wrong.”

The NPP communicator argued that these agreements have contributed significantly to ECG’s financial struggles, alongside operational inefficiencies within the power distributor.

“There are leakages in the system, and ECG must ensure consumers pay for the power they use,” he added.

When questioned why the NPP government, during its eight years in power, did not renegotiate or terminate these contracts, Ahiagbah defended his party’s record, suggesting that solving inherited problems is complex.

“You can be pardoned if you inherit a bad problem and couldn’t solve it. The person who created it should be held accountable,” he stated.

The ECG reportedly suffered a GH¢10.21 billion loss in 2022, a sharp increase from GH¢1.91 billion in 2021.

Despite the setbacks, Ahiagbah called for a holistic review of Ghana’s power sector agreements, urging stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue to address the financial burden on the state.

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The scandal surrounding the missing containers, persistent power outages, and mounting debts are expected to take center stage, especially after Energy Minister John Jinapor painted a bleak picture of the sector.

The Volta River Authority (VRA) and Bui Power Authority are also scheduled to appear before the committee, which is sitting at the Peduase Valley Resort in the Eastern Region.

JoyNews’ Parliamentary Affairs Correspondent, Kwaku Asante, reported that ECG is expected to provide answers regarding the intermittent blackouts affecting customers in various parts of the country.

Issues of debt and operational efficiency are expected to be addressed, with growing concerns about the potential privatisation of power distribution and revenue collection also forming part of today’s agenda.

The Volta River Authority (VRA) is also expected to explain the circumstances surrounding the Akosombo Dam spillage in 2023, which displaced over 35,000 people across 300 communities in the Volta and Eastern Regions.

Meanwhile, the Bui Power Authority is scheduled to present its five-year expansion plan, which includes a target of 400MW in additional capacity by 2028 through solar-hybrid systems.

According to the Ashanti Sub-Transmission Region of ECG, the birds have been attacking installations, triggering frequent outages and operational challenges that are affecting consumers across several districts.

“As a division responsible for restoring the system to its original state, we will continue to improve our efforts to ensure uninterrupted service,” said Collins Manu, Head of Public Relations for the Ashanti Sub-Transmission.

A report on recent control operations and outage statistics shows the most affected feeders include Barekese in Atwima Nwabiagya North, Akyawkrom in Ejisu, Effiduase and Kumawu in Sekyere East and Sekyere Kumawu, as well as Bekwai, New Edubiase, and Manso Nkwanta in Amansie East, Adansi South, and Amansie West, respectively.

The report revealed that at least 92 nests were found on the Akyawkrom-Kuntenase-Bekwai ECG transmission lines alone. These nests, often built with metallic materials, pose a major hazard by causing electrical faults and equipment damage.

Droppings forming conductive paths—especially under humid conditions—have also been cited as a major cause of insulation breakdown, increasing maintenance costs and operational risk.

In response, senior ECG officials, including Ing. Frederick Kwabena Bediako, General Manager of Special Projects at Head Office, and Ing. Daniel Mensah Asare, General Manager of Ashanti South, have been inspecting the worst-hit areas to assess and resolve power supply challenges.

To mitigate the problem, ECG is rolling out a series of preventive measures:

• Physical barriers like bird spikes, insulated covers, and perch deterrents

• Nesting deterrents, including routine nest removal and application of non-conductive materials

• Improved system design, such as increased conductor spacing and enhanced insulation

• Behavioural deterrents, including distress calls, reflective surfaces, and predator decoys

These interventions aim to stabilise supply and protect vital infrastructure from further damage caused by the birds.

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The Minister made this pledge during the official inauguration of the University’s Governing Council at a brief ceremony held in Accra.

Members of the council were sworn in, taking both the Oath of Office and Oath of Secrecy, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the university’s governance.

Addressing the newly constituted Council, Mr. Iddrisu acknowledged the financial challenges faced by the university, particularly the burden of the ECG legacy debt.

He noted that the Ministry will work closely with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to ensure the debt is cleared, allowing the institution to focus on its academic and developmental priorities.

“S.D. Dombo has not seen any significant support in terms of infrastructure. I am happy to announce that this year, the government, through GETFund, will make available some seed funding for the university. This is part of President Mahama’s broader vision to support the institution’s growth,” the Minister stated.

He further urged the Governing Council to provide strategic direction and support to enable the university to thrive, assuring them of the government’s continued backing, especially in the completion of ongoing infrastructure projects under GETFund.

Dr. Benjamin Kumbour, who chairs the newly inaugurated Governing Council, pledged the council’s commitment to restoring and enhancing the university’s fortunes. He emphasized the importance of community and private sector involvement in the development of the institution.

“We, on our part, will also explore private initiatives and engage the local community to contribute to the growth and development of SD Dombo University,” Dr. Kumbour said.

In a related development, the Education Minister announced that the government is preparing to present a bill to Parliament for the establishment of a new University of Agriculture and Life Sciences in Kintampo.

This upcoming institution will primarily serve the Bono Region and will align with Ghana’s national agricultural development strategy.

Despite agriculture being a pillar of the economy for decades, the sector continues to suffer from underinvestment and a lack of modernization. The proposed university is expected to help bridge this gap by training professionals and conducting research to advance sustainable agricultural practices in Ghana.

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Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem morning show, Mr. Boateng attributed the issue partly to outdated or legacy meters and also to past electrification projects implemented without ECG’s involvement.

“There are many meters in the system that don’t go through our network. Some of these meters have been in use for over 10 years. Every meter has its lifespan and efficiency level, and after a period, they become outdated,” he said.

He noted that ECG is currently introducing about 10 new types of smart meters, which are compliant with the Meter Management System (MMS).

These smart meters, he noted, are modern and communicate directly with ECG’s servers and control centres.

“These new smart meters make life easier for customers. You no longer need to walk to our offices to pay your bills—you can pay from your phone using our app. That’s the direction we’re going now: cashless transactions,” he stated.

Mr. Boateng clarified that while some of the new meters are still prepaid, not all qualify as smart meters.

Nonetheless, the company is building a robust database to ensure all smart meters are digitally mapped and monitored.

Despite these improvements, he admitted that “there are still hundreds of meters in the system that are not on ECG’s digital map.”

According to him, a major factor behind the missing data is the history of self-help electrification projects that bypassed ECG’s processes.

“Years ago, many communities undertook self-help electrification projects through contracts from the Ministry. Most of the time, local assembly members, believing their party was in power, would take charge of these projects without involving ECG, ” he explained.

ECG PRO ON METERS

He said that as a result, ECG was left without data on where meters were installed or how many were in use.

“We were blind to those installations. These meters weren’t captured in our system, and that has created a big gap.

“When that happens, we start realising revenue losses. People use power for years without paying, and later, we’re notified. We then send our mappers to survey the area, locate the meters, and collect the necessary data,” he added.

Mr. Boateng conceded that this lack of coordination and data collection has significantly contributed to ECG’s revenue losses.

“If meters are not on our system, we can’t monitor them,” he disclosed.

Touching on electricity theft, he confirmed that some individuals are indeed illegally using electricity.

“We admit that people are stealing from us. But any time we catch them, we retrieve the money. Over the years, we’ve worked to identify and correct some of these illegal connections. We count them as losses, but we’re actively working to resolve the issue,” he stated.

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Speaking on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, the Director of Communications at ECG, William Boateng, explained that recent power outages across parts of the country were due to multiple factors, including storm-related damage and system malfunctions triggered by strong winds.

He noted that ECG is often unaware of outages in specific communities unless they affect a large area or are reported by residents.

“We are not usually aware when the lights go out in a specific area unless it affects a large neighborhood, in which case we receive a call. Rainstorms can sometimes damage wires and cause outages. The strong winds we are currently experiencing are another reason for these issues. When the strong winds occur, the system identifies areas with malfunctions and automatically turns off the lights there,” Mr. Boateng said.

To address these challenges, Mr. Boateng revealed that ECG is engaging third-party contractors to install smaller transformers in overloaded areas.

However, he said securing land for these transformers remains a challenge, as residents are often unwilling to release space.

“We are working hard to stabilize power. Investments have been made, and some areas need rehabilitation. Expect new transformers in high-load areas soon,” he said.

He added that ECG has submitted its budget to the Minister of Energy to support ongoing efforts to enhance power distribution nationwide.

“We are currently engaging third-party contractors to help us install small transformers in various areas. However, determining the best locations for these transformers has proven challenging because property owners are often unwilling to allow transformers on their land. We expect to install new transformers in high-load areas soon.

“We are also working to stabilize the lighting we currently have, as some of it needs rehabilitation. Additionally, we have presented our budget to the Minister in hopes of doubling our efforts,” he stated.

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Charles Nii Ayiku Ayiku, ECG’s General Manager for External Communications, told Channel One TV on Sunday, May 4, that the precise cause of the blaze remains undetermined.

“No, we’ve not been able to identify the cause of the fire outbreak. Just after the incident, we launched an investigation into the cause, so I’m sure in a few days or weeks, we should be able to come out with a report on the actual cause of the fire at our substation,” he said.

He also confirmed that the damaged earthing transformer was replaced immediately following the incident.

“It has been replaced. In fact, it was replaced immediately. So, currently, we are just doing some tests and observing the new earthing transformer which has been installed,” Mr Ayiku added.

Earlier, Francis Kofi Atsyatsya, ECG’s General Manager for Sub-Transmission in Accra, explained that a sudden equipment failure triggered the fire.

“Around 10:35, we had a blast on our protective device, causing outages to customers around Kanda, part of Cantonments, Legon, Haatso, and Madina. So we called in the fire service to assist us by quenching the fire as we took our time to figure out what exactly caused the blast,” he said.

Mr Atsyatsya described how the station was isolated for safety as firefighters doused the flames, after which ECG technicians rerouted the supply from neighbouring bulk points.

“The entire station was isolated for the fire service men to carry out their work. After they were done, we tried to restore the source of light for the affected customers by transferring them to the adjoining bulk supply point that we have in Accra.

“So, as at 1:20, we were able to provide light to all the affected customers. As we speak, everybody who was affected by the outage is back on supply,” he stated.

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The maintenance works will take place on Saturday, 3rd May; Sunday, 4th May; and Monday, 5th May, 2025, with each operation expected to cause temporary power outages in specific areas.

On Saturday, May 3, maintenance activities will occur between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and its surrounding areas are expected to be affected by the power disruption.

On Sunday, May 4, the ECG will extend its maintenance operations from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The affected areas on this day will include Airport Hills, Martey Tsuru, Obedibem, Mayfair Estate, and nearby communities.

The final leg of the maintenance will take place on Monday, May 5, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Residents of Lakeside Estate, New Legon, Dawu, Rosa Rosa, Akropong, Abiriw, Adukrom, Aperede, and the surrounding areas will be affected.

In all the notices issued via ECG’s official platforms, the company apologised for any inconvenience the maintenance may cause. “ECG regrets the inconvenience that will arise out of this exercise,” the company stated.

ECG has reiterated that these planned outages are essential to ensure continued efficiency and quality in power supply services. Customers in the affected areas are advised to take the necessary precautions and plan accordingly.

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Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, ECG’s General Manager in charge of Public Relations, William Boateng, appealed for public patience.

He explained that adverse weather conditions and increased demand—especially in urban areas like Accra—have caused widespread transformer damage, cable faults, and system overloads.

He added that some outages go unreported because residents assume ECG is already aware.

“After the festivities, we recorded several damaged transformers and multiple cable faults. Fixing these comes with significant cost,” he stated.

Mr. Boateng noted that ECG has resolved issues in Kumasi and is currently working in Obuasi and parts of Accra.

He also revealed that the company is upgrading to a fibre optic system in the capital to handle rising demand but said the process is slower due to Accra’s congestion and infrastructure challenges.

He urged customers to report faults promptly and assured the public that ECG is committed to restoring a stable power supply.

Watch the video below:

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Speaking on Adom FM’s Burning Issues, Deputy General Secretary of PUWU, Reverend Enoch Paul Hayes, alleged that ECG is being unfairly blamed for the ongoing power outages and the issue of missing containers—all in a bid to portray the company as incompetent.

“Why must we always tag a dog just to hang it? The current power outages are being blamed on ECG to create the impression that it is underperforming so they can sell it off,” Rev. Hayes stated.

His comments come in the wake of Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson’s confirmation that Cabinet has approved the privatization of ECG—a move that has sparked tension at the company’s headquarters, Electro Volta House, where staff have begun expressing their disapproval.

PRIVATE ECG

Rev. Hayes questioned the handling of the missing containers incident, noting that several agencies, including the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Customs, are involved in clearing goods at the port.

“Why was ECG solely blamed when other institutions also play a role? Our mistake was ordering more than we could clear—Ghana, why?” he lamented.

He warned that privatizing ECG could deepen the country’s energy woes and vowed that the union would fiercely resist any attempt to hand the company over to private interests.

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In a statement, ECG the storm disrupted their network, causing interruptions to power supply for several customers.

“The Electricity Company of Ghana wishes to inform our cherished customers and the general public that the heavy rainstorm that hit parts of the country today, Saturday, 26th April, 2025, has caused some outages within our network,” the statement said.

ECG has assured customers that their technical teams were actively addressing the situation.

“ECG wishes to assure all affected customers that our engineers are working assiduously to repair the faults and restore power supply,” the statement added, highlighting their commitment to restoring normal service as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile, ECG has apologised for the inconvenience caused, stating it is deeply regretted.

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Speaking in an interview with Adom News, Mr. Abekah expressed deep frustration over the recurring blackouts, suggesting that some ECG workers may be deliberately undermining the efforts of President John Dramani Mahama.

He insisted that President Mahama had resolved dumsor before leaving office in 2016. However, Mr. Abekah now believes certain elements within ECG are creating what he calls “artificial dumsor” to tarnish Mahama’s image.

“I will not hesitate to stage a one-man protest against ECG if they continue with this unnecessary power outage,” he said.

He added that NDC members are tired of defending a problem they believe is being manufactured for political reasons.

Mr. Abekah further called on President Mahama to consider dismissing ECG staff allegedly recruited under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, claiming they are responsible for the recent disruptions in power supply.

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Residents in the region have been grappling with persistent low voltage, power fluctuations, and intermittent outages, particularly during the evenings.

In a statement issued by its Volta Regional Public Relations Unit, ECG clarified that the situation stems from the limited power supply delivered from GRIDCo’s Asiekpe Bulk Supply Point, which is then distributed to customers.

“We want to clarify that the root cause of this situation is not due to ECG’s distribution of power, but rather originates from GRIDCo’s supply from the Asiekpe Bulk Supply Point,” the notice explained.

The company acknowledged the frustration caused by the situation, including damage to electrical appliances and disruptions to livelihoods, and offered an apology to affected customers.

“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused,” the statement added.

ECG further assured the public that both the company and GRIDCo are working diligently to resolve the issue. Maintenance works have been scheduled for Tuesday, April 22, 2025, and customers can expect improved service quality once completed.

“In the meantime, our team has been diligently patrolling and troubleshooting our network to ensure there are no additional faults on our end,” the statement said.

“We kindly ask for your patience and understanding as we work alongside GRIDCo to restore a reliable power supply to customers. We are confident that, following the upcoming maintenance works, you will experience improved service quality,” it concluded.

In a recent statement, he criticized the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) for what he called a “complete disappointment” in its service, urging for immediate and transparent communication and greater accountability.

“Whatever the challenges are, let us know. There must be communication – regular communication – with the people,” Minister Gunu insisted. He emphasized the need for advance warnings about power cuts so residents and businesses can prepare, noting that many people had suffered damages to appliances like fridges due to unannounced outages.

His remarks reflected growing public dissatisfaction, with residents and business owners continuing to endure losses because of unreliable and unpredictable power supply.

“You are disappointing the people of this region. What crime have we committed?” Gunu asked, urging ECG and other underperforming institutions to work on restoring trust and improving their performance.

“We always inform the media and local assemblies about planned outages,” she said, adding that engineers are continuously working in the field to address issues as they arise. She also highlighted internal initiatives to improve technical capacity and stressed the importance of collaboration between ECG, GRIDCo, and government stakeholders to tackle the challenges.

Despite these assurances, Minister Gunu expressed dissatisfaction with the ongoing situation, warning that the region’s patience was running thin.

He criticized the lack of progress, saying, “We’ve written to you, but I know the usual excuse — that the letter wasn’t received. That’s why I’ve come in person. Today, I am the letter.”

The ECG has also faced recent controversies, with reports revealing that over a thousand containers of imported equipment and supplies have gone missing at the Tema Port, further compounding public frustrations.

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Speaking at the JoyNews National Dialogue on Thursday, April 10, Mr. Abubakar highlighted the government’s goal to ensure an uninterrupted power supply and affordable petroleum products for households and transportation. However, he emphasized that achieving these goals is only possible with an efficient energy sector.

“It is the wish of the government that we have an uninterrupted supply of power, and petroleum products are affordable, so that we keep the lights on and vehicles moving,” he stated.

Mr. Abubakar explained that Ghana’s energy sector was originally vertically integrated. However, reforms aimed at improving efficiency led to the unbundling of key segments — generation, transmission, and distribution — with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) now handling distribution.

“To have an efficient energy sector, we need efficient generation, efficient transmission, and efficient distribution,” Mr. Abubakar emphasized.

Despite these reforms, he noted that the current system does not fully meet these ideals. “Unfortunately, we do not have a fully efficient co-value chain system,” he said, acknowledging that the distribution segment continues to face numerous challenges.

“These inefficiencies within distribution are manifesting in some of the power supply challenges we are experiencing now,” he added.

However, Mr. Abubakar reassured the public that the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition is actively reviewing strategies to address these challenges and create an enabling environment for improvement.

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Speaking at the JoyNews National Dialogue on Thursday, Mr Mahama explained that the government’s focus on privatising the power distribution company left little room for investment in its infrastructure and operations.

“If you cast your mind back, during the President’s first tenure, all efforts were geared towards sending ECG into privatisation. So, there was zero investment in the company,” Mr Mahama stated.

He recounted the failed Power Distribution Services (PDS) deal, which saw the management of ECG handed over to PDS for about eight months before the agreement collapsed.

Following the botched privatisation attempt, ECG reverted to full state control, just as the country was heading into the 2020 general elections, he added.

Mr Mahama, who assumed office as Managing Director in 2022, said one of his first actions was to conduct a “health check” on the company.

“What I found was that although there had been massive growth in the number of ECG customers, this was not properly reflected in the company’s data,” he said.

According to him, ECG’s Commercial Management System (CMS), introduced through a World Bank project, could not accommodate the rapid growth in customer numbers.

“The billing system had its own deficiencies. When it hit the 4.5 million customer mark, new customers being added were not being captured in the billing system. They were hanging,” he noted.

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The operation, based on intelligence received, led to the discovery of the items hidden in a concealed location and within an uncompleted building believed to be linked to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

The haul included 46 cable drums, electrical switches, meter boxes, meter cases, iron angle bars, and various other valuable components typically associated with ECG infrastructure.

The materials are suspected to be part of missing supplies belonging to the power distribution company. Two individuals have since been arrested and are assisting with investigations.

Hashim Torkonu, a National Security operative who led the team, told Channel One News on Monday, 7 April, that the circumstances surrounding the location and storage of the items point to possible misappropriation.

He noted that the discovery differs from a previous seizure made at a private residence, which is also under investigation.

According to him, inconsistencies in the explanation provided by the earlier suspect have raised further suspicions.

He added that the Regional Security Coordinator will be in contact with the national headquarters in Accra for directives on the next steps, especially since no individual has officially claimed ownership of the recently uncovered stock.

“The stocks here are different from the ones that we uncovered in that private residence. That one has been owned by a contractor.

The only problem we have with him is how those items got into his private residence. And secondly, what he told us was not the actual list he gave us, so we are in the formative period of the investigation.

The regional security coordinator is going to call Accra immediately and take instructions from them on what they need to do. As of now, nobody has owned up to this. We have spoken to the residents as well; they seem not to know the owner of the goods,” he said.

Local residents, when questioned, were also unable to identify those responsible for the storage or transport of the materials.

One of the suspects, Evans Lartey, who identified himself as a certified ECG contractor, insisted on his innocence.

He explained that he supplies meters and cables to the ECG under contract and maintained that his involvement in the supply chain was legitimate.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the source and legality of the items found.

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This follows reports that ECG has imported over 1,000 containers of electrical cables, including aluminium conductors, despite Ghana’s full capacity to produce such materials locally—actions AGI says flout the country’s local content laws.

Even more alarming, AGI revealed that many of these imported containers have reportedly gone missing.

“Pay us, not importers,” the association demanded in a statement issued on April 5, calling the situation “most unfortunate” for a state-owned utility already struggling with debt.

“It is sad to note that our local manufacturers of aluminium conductors, who continue to create jobs, are owed huge sums of money, yet importers are promptly paid,” AGI fumed.

AGI’s Chief Executive Officer, Seth Twum-Akwaboah, did not mince words.

“For a state institution that is already saddled with huge debts, this is most unfortunate,” he said, though he acknowledged the Energy Minister’s ongoing efforts to clean up the mess.

The group reminded ECG of its own past commitment to promoting local content, which encouraged the establishment of Ghanaian factories for the production of aluminium conductors, treatment of wooden poles, and assembly of meters and transformers. This led to the passage of L.I. 2354 in 2017, a local content law that solidified policy direction and helped create thousands of jobs.

“Indeed, this was a classic example of local vertical integration, which could have served as a model for the country,” the statement said. “Today, Ghana has 100% LOCAL production capacity for aluminium conductors with raw material from VALCO.”

In that context, AGI said the recent imports are not only unnecessary but also illegal. “Importing such huge volumes breaches L.I. 2354,” it stressed, calling for a full investigation into all contracts and imports that violate the regulation.

AGI issued three key demands:

1. The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition must strengthen public financial management systems and carry out regular audits to ensure compliance.

2. All questionable imports must be thoroughly investigated, and any illegal contracts rejected.

3. ECG must urgently pay arrears owed to local manufacturers, with the same priority given to local power producers.

The association also clarified that not all local suppliers qualify under the local content framework. “Local suppliers who merely import finished items do not qualify to be classified as local content suppliers,” the group emphasized.

AGI concluded with a stark warning: Ghana’s industrialisation drive will remain a mirage without strict enforcement of local content laws and meaningful support for domestic manufacturers.

“The message is clear: stop ignoring local industry, stop the imports, and start paying those building the future from within.”

This follows the discovery that over 1,300 containers meant for the power distributor have gone missing from Tema Port.

Speaking on JoyNews‘ Newsfile on Saturday, April 5, she called the situation “rotten to the core” and urged immediate attention to the corrupt practices that are plaguing these critical sectors.

She argued that the corruption within ECG is at the heart of the problem, with deep-rooted lapses, collusion, and unethical practices contributing to the current state of affairs.

According to the Lawyer, this systemic failure is having disastrous effects on the country, which is now in a “very sad state.”

“This is organised crime, it’s organised crime that is very deep-rooted,” Bright stated. “And it’s rotten to the core, it starts from ECG and ends up at the port. So it’s something that is extremely serious.”

She continued highlight the significance of ECG as an institution, explaining that it is the “crux of the problem.”

She also suggested that without addressing the flaws within ECG, such as lapses in management and collusion, the country would not have found itself in such a dire situation.

“Let’s look at ECG as an institution, because that is really the cracks of the problem,” she said. “Without all the lapses and all the collusion and things going on there, we would not be where we are now, which is in a very sad state.”

She pointed to the large sums of money involved, stressing that these funds could be used to address critical national issues.

“To all our detriment, look at the kinds of money that are being mentioned,” she said.

She added “We need that money; there is so much that we need to do as a nation.”

Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Mahama responded to allegations surrounding the missing containers, which contain critical electrical equipment intended for national power distribution.

He questioned the rationale behind the committee’s failure to reach out to him.

“The investigative team never contacted me, but my name was mentioned in the report. Meanwhile, I have not gone anywhere and won’t go anywhere, so what was the rationale behind that?” he quizzed.

Mr. Mahama further noted that he would have gladly participated in the investigation if he had been contacted.

“If they wanted to do a thorough investigation, they should have called me. I am around, and I would have worked with the committee if they had reached out to me,” he stated.

In regard to the missing containers, Mr. Mahama stressed the ease of tracking international shipments.

“If you input the container number, you can easily locate where the container is. Let’s make sure we address the container issue properly,” he said, underscoring the importance of properly investigating the logistics involved.

He also expressed concern about the lack of direct communication from the committee.

“We are all humans serving the country. If they wanted a holistic job, they should have spoken to me directly. Why would I not subject myself to interrogation if indeed I was contacted? But they didn’t call me. I would have gladly cooperated,” he bemoaned.

The scandal, which has sent shockwaves through the country, involves the disappearance of containers containing equipment meant to support ECG operations.

Reports have revealed procurement irregularities and questionable transactions within ECG, with allegations that some government officials and ECG executives were aware of the improper handling of the containers but failed to act.

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He made this known in a Facebook post on Tuesday, March 26, where he provided details of an investigative report on the matter.

According to Mr. Jinapor, during the transition process, the outgoing NPP administration had revealed that approximately 3,000 ECG containers were being held at the Tema Harbour due to the company’s inability to clear them.

However, upon assuming office and visiting the port, he was presented with a different figure of 2,500 containers, which had accumulated a demurrage cost of GHS 1,500,000,000.

The inconsistency in these figures led the Minister to establish an investigative committee to verify the circumstances surrounding the containers.

“The committee’s report, which was presented to me, confirmed that over 1,300 containers were indeed missing—contrary to the narrative given by the previous administration,” Mr. Jinapor stated.

Describing the findings as highly concerning, the Minister emphasised the need for accountability and swift action.

“Criminal investigations will be launched immediately, and the perpetrators will surely be prosecuted,” he declared, signalling the government’s commitment to addressing the issue.

The revelation has raised serious concerns about transparency and procurement practices within the ECG.

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Below is the full statement.

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The chairman of the investigative committee, Prof. Innocent Senyo Acquah, disclosed that while ECG initially claimed to have 2,491 uncleared containers containing cables and other equipment at the port, an independent audit found only 1,134, leaving 1,347 missing.

Presenting the findings to the Minister, Prof. Acquah highlighted the discrepancies, raising concerns about possible theft or diversion of the containers.

Reacting to the report in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, Mr. Jinapor confirmed the issue, stating, “One container can be worth about $500,000, and now we are being told that over 1,350 containers have vanished from the port. This is shocking.”

He noted that ECG’s records indicate that some of the containers are tied up in legal disputes. However, he questioned how such a large number of containers could go missing without proper accountability.

“We will get to the bottom of this. How did these containers disappear without trace? I am convinced that some people have stolen or diverted them,” he stated.

The minister noted that all relevant agencies, including Customs and National Security, would be involved in the investigation to trace the missing containers.

“The records will show where they are. We will not spare anyone found culpable,” he added.

He further disclosed that some of the containers, whose contents include electrical cables and other essential materials, have yet to be fully accounted for.

“We don’t even know the full details of what was in those missing containers,” he remarked.

As part of immediate measures, Mr. Jinapor announced that ECG’s procurement unit would be restructured within a week.

“It cannot be business as usual. We are not targeting anybody, but we will make sure whoever is responsible is held liable,” he assured.

Additionally, he directed that the remaining containers be moved to a secure warehouse under the protection of National Security.

“The over 1,350 containers cannot vanish into thin air. I am convinced someone has stolen them. We will work with the Attorney General and the Police to ensure those responsible are brought to book and either retrieve the containers or recover their monetary value,” he affirmed.

The investigation was launched following the discovery of the uncleared containers during the minister’s visit to the port in January 2025.

A five-member committee was tasked with examining ECG’s procurement practices, assessing the cost of the containers, and determining liabilities, which have been estimated at GH₵1.5 billion.

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Speaking on the issue, Ing. George Amoah, ECG’s Ashanti West Regional General Manager, clarified that the market is supplied by a dedicated distribution line, the Town Hall Feeder, which also has an alternative power source from Power House 2. Both sources were stable prior to the fire.

Ing. Amoah assured that ECG is committed to providing reliable power supply to the area, recognizing its importance as a major revenue hub.

While acknowledging that power disruptions in the past have been caused by vandalism and theft of transformers and cables, Ing.

Amoah confirmed that the power supply was stable before the fire. ECG only disconnected supply after the outbreak to assist firefighting efforts.

He also pointed out that outdated wiring, illegal connections, and poor electrical installations in the market pose significant fire risks. To mitigate such hazards, ECG has urged traders to hire certified electricians in line with LI 2008 regulations.

Ing. Amoah further clarified that a recent power outage in parts of Kumasi did not affect the Adum market and was unrelated to the fire incident.

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The court ordered that the sureties provide valid national identity cards at the court registry.

Francis Addey, alias Kofi Kyei, a 35-year-old okada rider, and Amos Duah, a 39-year-old electrician, pleaded not guilty to the charges and are expected to reappear in court on April 22, 2025.

Prosecuting, Police Inspector Hagar Owusu-Henabah, led by Chief Inspector Frederick Awuah-Ansah, told the court that the complainant in the case is the Monitoring Officer of ECG’s Amasaman Branch.

According to the prosecution, Addey, based in Ablekuma, conspired with an electrician identified as Fred, who is currently at large, to steal ECG prepaid meters.

In August 2024, Fred allegedly supplied a stolen prepaid meter with pin number 000035737829, taken from a customer at Fise near Amasaman, to Duah through Addey.

Duah later sold the stolen meter to a witness, Kwaku Twum, at Amasaman for GH¢2,500.

During routine inspections, ECG officials retrieved the meter, prompting the company to report the matter to the police.

Investigations led to Duah’s arrest, and he named Addey and Fred as his suppliers. Duah cooperated with the police and lured Addey into supplying another prepaid meter.

On February 11, 2025, Addey delivered two used prepaid meters with PINs P181032280 and P181032277 to Duah at his home in Amasaman Abease for sale.

However, Addey was arrested by waiting police officers as he attempted to flee. Two prepaid meters and two meter cards were retrieved as evidence.

The prosecution informed the court that efforts were ongoing to arrest Fred and identify customers whose ECG meters were stolen, with support from the ECG Customer Service Department.

Addey and Duah were subsequently charged and arraigned.

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Read the full statement below:

Addressing the presidential press corps on Friday, March 7, at Jubilee House following President John Dramani Mahama’s second cabinet meeting, he clarified that no decision has been made to privatize these state-owned power distributors.

Speaking on the matter, Mr. Jinapor emphasized that the government is only considering a partnership to improve revenue collection within the sector.

“Let me be clear: the government has not made any decision to sell ECG or NEDCo. What we are exploring is a partnership to enhance the efficiency of revenue collection, which remains a key challenge for the power distributors,” he stated.

He further explained that such a move would ensure financial sustainability while maintaining state ownership of these essential institutions.

The Minister stressed that ECG and NEDCo continue to play a critical role in Ghana’s energy sector and that any decision regarding their operations would be made in the national interest.

“We acknowledge the concerns raised, but I assure Ghanaians that ECG and NEDCo remain public assets. Any intervention we undertake will be aimed at improving their efficiency, not privatizing them,” he added.

Mr. Jinapor urged the public to disregard misinformation regarding the alleged sale of the power distributors.

He reiterated that the government remains committed to strengthening Ghana’s energy sector while ensuring that electricity services remain reliable and affordable for all citizens.

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In a letter to the Acting Managing Director of ECG on Friday, February 28, 2025, Early Power expressed concern over ECG’s default, revealing that $47,249,898.93 of the amount was overdue.

The letter, also copied to the Minister for Finance, the Minister for Energy, the Executive Secretary of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), and the Board Chairman, warned of severe financial repercussions.

“As a result of ECG’s default in payment, the Seller finds itself in a precarious financial position and will not be able to meet its debt service obligations and operating costs,” the company stated.

Early Power has demanded immediate payment of the overdue amount, setting a deadline of February 28, 2025.

The company warned that failure to meet this deadline would force them to invoke remedies under the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and the Power Compact Operations Agreement (PCOA).

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