ECG needs private sector participation to end inefficiencies – Kwadwo Poku

Energy expert and New Patriotic Party (NPP) national communications team member, Kwadwo Poku, has backed private sector participation in the operations of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

He argued that involving private operators could help address persistent revenue losses, political interference and management challenges confronting the state-owned power distributor.

Speaking on Accra-based Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana on Wednesday, September 9, Mr Poku said private sector participation should focus on areas such as customer service, revenue mobilisation and operational efficiency.

“The NPP in our manifesto said that we support private sector participation at the retail end, customer service and revenue mobilisation because we see that it’s not feasible,” he said.

The energy expert argued that ECG’s revenue losses made it difficult for the company to operate sustainably, saying government had repeatedly been required to inject public funds to support the company.

He said a private operator with financial interests at stake would have stronger incentives to improve revenue collection, control procurement and reduce operational inefficiencies.

His comments come amid an ongoing national debate over the government’s proposed private sector participation in ECG.

The government has repeatedly stressed that the initiative does not amount to an outright privatisation or sale of ECG.

However, organised labour has raised strong objections to the proposal.

The Public Utilities Workers Union (PUWU) has called for ECG and NEDCo to remain publicly owned, arguing that internal reforms and improved management can address the utilities’ operational and financial challenges.