In a bid to curb public sector power debt and enhance energy efficiency, Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Mr. John Abdulai Jinapor, has announced Cabinet approval for the mandatory installation of prepaid meters across all state institutions or, alternatively, their inclusion in a strict monthly billing and payment regime.
The measure, the Minister explained, is aimed at enhancing the Electricity Company of Ghana’s (ECG) revenue mobilisation efforts while significantly reducing technical and commercial losses.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday in response to a question posed on behalf of Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Mr. Jinapor outlined a broader framework of reforms designed to improve billing efficiency and clamp down on illegal electricity connections and meter tampering.
“Mr. Speaker, ECG has already reconnected several state agencies that were previously disconnected due to non-payment. With Cabinet’s approval, these institutions will now be placed on prepaid meters or structured billing to ensure accountability,” he said.
The Minister further disclosed that ECG has installed over one million meters under its Loss Reduction Program, aimed at addressing metering inefficiencies and improving billing accuracy across the country.
In addition to these reforms, the company is cracking down on power theft and illegal connections. Mr. Jinapor noted that a special task force has been deployed nationwide, and offenders are being prosecuted in a dedicated court established for such electricity-related offences.
“Mr. Speaker, we intend to introduce new legislation to impose stiffer penalties for meter tampering and illegal connections. We are arresting and prosecuting people because the impact of these crimes undermines revenue recovery and jeopardizes power supply,” he said.
He added that ECG’s efforts must be supported by the public, stressing the collective responsibility to preserve the integrity of the national power grid.
“We are making a passionate and humble appeal to Ghanaians to work with us to ensure revenue recovery and maintain power supply. If we don’t work together, we will have a major challenge,” he said.
