ECONOMY

Dr. Elikplim Kwabla Apetorgbor, the CEO of Independent Power Generators Ghana, has expressed strong opposition to the privatization of the Electricity Company of Ghana‘s (ECG) debt collection and billing services, describing the move as wasteful and counterproductive. He argues instead for the nationwide rollout of prepaid meters to improve ECG’s revenue mobilization.

President John Dramani Mahama in his first State of the Nation Address on February 27, 2025, revealed that ECG has accumulated a debt of GH¢68 billion, raising concerns about the company’s financial stability and its capacity to deliver reliable electricity services.

However, in an interview, Dr. Apetorgbor stressed that ECG should prioritize technological investments to tackle its recurring challenges. He also urged the company to adopt real-time monitoring technologies for voltage fluctuations to enhance service reliability.

“What we’re saying is that the tariffs should be cost-effective and should enable ECG to recover its most competitive or efficiency cost. We even proposed that stringent cost measures should be implemented in ECG’s administrative or operational activities. We looked at the issue of technology, we’re way behind technology in the power sector.

“There’s no where in the world or people going after customers to come and pay bills, implement pre-paid meters, automatically everybody pays for the services. Why waste resources to bring in companies to be going after customers for debt collection?. It’s a waste of resources,” he said.