At a recent media engagement, Mr Emmanuel Ankrah, the Acting General Manager of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) Accra West, announced the establishment of a special task force dedicated to auditing meters and electrical connections. This initiative aims to significantly reduce commercial losses and recover revenue that has been lost due to various illegal activities.
Mr. Ankrah emphasized the importance of this task force in combating the growing issue of illegal connections, which have become a major concern for ECG. He made it clear that customers caught engaging in such practices would face serious consequences. These consequences include disconnection from the power supply, additional surcharges, and potential prosecution by the police. He urged customers to refrain from colluding with unauthorized individuals posing as ECG employees or electricians who tamper with the company’s meter installations. “We need customers to understand the risks involved in these illegal activities,” he stated. “It is not just a matter of avoiding payment; it undermines the entire system.”
The Acting General Manager pointed out that illegal connections not only deprive ECG of essential revenue but also negatively impact the quality of service that legitimate customers receive. This loss of income can lead to reduced resources for maintenance and improvements, ultimately affecting everyone who relies on the grid. “To all individuals who have engaged in illegal connections, we will track you down and recover the value of all the power you have consumed without payment, along with penalties,” Mr. Ankrah warned, underscoring the seriousness of the issue.
Dr. Mark Owusu Ansah, the Revenue Protection Manager for Accra West, also spoke at the event, highlighting the urgency of addressing illegal connections. He characterized those who partake in these activities as thieves, stealing power from the company and, by extension, from honest customers. “We view these illegal actions as a theft of resources that affects the entire community,” he asserted. Dr. Ansah reiterated the task force’s unwavering commitment to curbing this problem, which he described as a significant drain on ECG’s operational capacity.
Since the initiative began in October 2024, the task force has made substantial progress. A total of 56 cases have been referred for prosecution, with 46 of those cases already resolved. However, 10 cases remain ongoing, indicating that the problem persists and requires continued vigilance. The types of illegal activities identified include direct service connections, meter bypasses, tampering with meters, and unauthorized connections to the grid.
The ECG Accra West region encompasses eight operational districts: Ablekuma, Achimota, Amasaman, Bortianor, Dansoman, Kaneshie, Korle-Bu, and Nsawam. Each of these districts faces unique challenges regarding electricity distribution and usage, making the task force’s work all the more critical. Mr. Ankrah noted that collaboration with local communities is essential to effectively combat illegal connections. Community members can play a vital role in reporting suspicious activities, which can help the task force operate more effectively.
In conclusion, the efforts by ECG to strengthen revenue protection through the newly formed task force represent a significant step forward in tackling the challenges posed by illegal electricity connections. Mr. Ankrah’s and Dr. Ansah’s remarks serve as a reminder of the need for collective responsibility in ensuring that the power supply system operates fairly and efficiently for all customers.
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At a recent media engagement, Mr Emmanuel Ankrah, the Acting General Manager of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) Accra West, announced the establishment of a special task force dedicated to auditing meters and electrical connections. This initiative aims to significantly reduce commercial losses and recover revenue that has been lost due to various illegal activities.
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Very good keep it up