Benjamin Asare, Executive Director of the Centre for Environmental Management and Sustainability Energy, has voiced grave concern about the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), citing its alarming financial instability and poor revenue mobilization as a major threat to the energy sector.
During an interview on EPA HO DABEN with Bismark Brown on Happy Fm, Asare revealed that ECG is burdened with over GH₵67 billion in liabilities, a figure confirmed by Energy Minister John Jinapor.
He lamented ECG’s inability to efficiently collect payments from consumers, which has resulted in a revenue mobilization rate of just 49%. In stark contrast, Ivory Coast reportedly collects 95% of revenue directly from end users demonstrating a system far more effective in financial accountability and sustainability.
According to Asare, ECG’s inefficiency has a rippling effect including
– Inadequate funds for infrastructure upgrades and maintenance
– Struggles to meet operational costs and repay debts
– Growing public frustration due to unreliable power supply
Despite the grim outlook, Asare expressed optimism about government plans to partner ECG with private entities. He believes this could
– Improve revenue recovery through modern billing and enforcement systems
– Inject fresh management strategies and operational discipline
– Encourage customer compliance and transparency
“This isn’t just about ECG, it’s about reimagining Ghana’s energy future. If public-private partnerships are executed thoughtfully, they could signal a shift toward cleaner, more reliable, and fiscally sound electricity delivery”, he added.
