Political Meddling Undermines Ghana’s Power Sector: ECG Boss Exposes Illegal Metering Scheme
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is grappling with a severe challenge, as its Acting Managing Director, Julius Kpekpena, has boldly accused influential political figures of actively facilitating illegal electricity connections. Speaking before the Parliamentary Committee on Energy on Friday, September 26, 2025, Mr. Kpekpena disclosed that certain Members of Parliament (MPs), District Chief Executives (DCEs), and Municipal Chief Executives (MCEs) are enabling the installation of illicit electricity meters within their constituencies, an act with profound financial implications for the national power distributor. This revelation brings to light a critical issue of political interference in Ghana’s vital energy sector.
The Devastating Financial and Operational Ramifications
Mr. Kpekpena meticulously detailed the technical and financial havoc wreaked by these unauthorized installations. He explained that many of the illegal meters discovered within the ECG network are fundamentally flawed; they “don’t record anything” and “are not proper meters.” Consequently, while these meters physically exist, they fail to measure electricity consumption. This creates a dual problem for the ECG: first, customers with such meters are often not registered in the company’s official records, making it impossible to bill them. Second, even when detected, the meters provide no consumption data, preventing accurate billing. This widespread failure to measure and bill for electricity usage directly translates into substantial revenue losses for the ECG, severely impacting its operational efficiency and ability to invest in much-needed infrastructure upgrades for Ghana’s power distribution. The scale of the problem hints at deep-seated challenges within the energy sector, even as ECG reportedly cancelled over 200 questionable contracts, indicating internal efforts to address irregularities.
The candid accusation by the ECG boss underscores the urgent need for robust governance and accountability across all levels of public service. Such political interference not only compromises the financial health of a crucial state-owned enterprise but also undermines fair electricity distribution, potentially burdening legitimate consumers with the costs of unbilled power. Addressing this issue is paramount for ensuring a stable and equitable energy future for Ghana, safeguarding the integrity of the power sector from undue influence.
Keywords
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