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Sunday, 13 September 2026
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Sunday, 13 September 2026
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Ghanaian press · Organization

Electricity Company of Ghana

Also known as: ECG · Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG)

Ghana's electric utility facing significant financial losses, procurement challenges, and proposals for private sector participation in operations.

2026-04-242026-09-13

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. August 2026
  2. Joy Online

    The Public Utilities Workers Union (PUWU) has criticised the government’s decision to appoint a transaction adviser to facilitate private-sector participation in the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo).

    Power workers oppose planned private-sector participation in ECG and NEDCo
  3. Joy Online

    The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) will today, Monday, August 10, begin a four-day planned maintenance exercise in parts of the Accra East Region.

    ECG begins 4-day power outage schedule for parts of Accra East
  4. Joy Online

    This reflected the combined effect of tariff adjustments, improved revenue collection at the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), higher payments to energy suppliers via the Cash Waterfall Mechanism, cedi appreciation, and reduced use of liquid fuel in the electricity generation m

    IMF cautions Ghana over energy sector despite progress made in reducing energy debt
  5. Joy Online

    The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has announced a four-day planned maintenance exercise that will result in temporary power outages in several communities within the Accra East Region.

    ECG announces four-day power outage schedule for parts of Accra East
  6. Joy Online

    Bokpin said many of the problems currently confronting the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), including high distribution losses, weak revenue collection, outstanding obligations to power producers and the financial burden placed on the state, pre-date Ghana’s current IMF-suppor

    IMF-backed reforms must tackle Ghana’s long-running energy crisis – Prof. Bokpin warns
  7. Joy Online

    Economist and Professor of Finance, Professor Godfred Bokpin, has called for stronger reforms targeting the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and other state-owned enterprises, warning that their inefficiencies continue to put pressure on Ghana’s finances.

    Policy coordination reforms must target ECG and other SOEs – Prof Bokpin
  8. Joy Online

    Godfred Bokpin, has called for greater transparency and broader national consultation over proposed reforms in Ghana’s electricity sector, warning that the persistent financial challenges facing the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) continue to pose a major risk to the country’s

    Prof Bokpin urges transparency on ECG reforms, warns of fiscal risks
  9. Joy Online

    Economist and Professor of Finance has warned that persistent inefficiencies in the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and other state-owned enterprises could push Ghana back to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for another financial intervention.

    ECG inefficiencies could send Ghana back to IMF – Prof Bokpin
  10. Joy Online

    The final major topic, “ECG & IMF: Energy sector bleeding?”, will focus on the persistent financial challenges confronting the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), including distribution losses, revenue collection, outstanding obligations to power producers and the broader reforms

    This Saturday on Newsfile: NPP politics, police bribery, helicopter disaster, and ECG crisis
  11. Joy Online

    The final major topic, “ECG & IMF: Energy sector bleeding?”, will focus on the persistent financial challenges confronting the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), including distribution losses, revenue collection, outstanding obligations to power producers and the broader reforms

    Livestream: Newsfile discusses NPP politics, police bribery, helicopter disaster, and ECG crisis
Mining & Energy

Energy sector inefficiencies deepening Ghana's fiscal inequality

The News

ACEP's Ben Boakye warns that Ghana's energy sector inefficiencies are draining public finances and worsening inequality. He notes ECG records losses of more than GH¢20 billion annually, with government increasingly relying on borrowing to finance power obligations.

16 hours ago · Joy Online

Today

  1. Energy sector inefficiencies deepening Ghana's fiscal inequality

    ACEP's Ben Boakye warns that Ghana's energy sector inefficiencies are draining public finances and worsening inequality. He notes ECG records losses of more than GH¢20 billion annually, with government increasingly relying on borrowing to finance power obligations.

    16 hours ago · Joy Online

  2. ECG losses worsen despite over $700 million government investment

    ACEP Executive Director Ben Boakye says the Electricity Company of Ghana's losses have risen from about 21 per cent to nearly 30 per cent despite more than $700 million invested in projects, with ECG making losses exceeding GH¢20 billion annually that drain the national budget.

    16 hours ago · Joy Online

Yesterday

  1. ECG's challenges are management failures, not worker fault – TUC

    The Trades Union Congress deputy secretary-general has argued that the Electricity Company of Ghana's difficulties stem from management problems rather than failures by ordinary workers, and questioned whether Ghana should consider handing ECG to foreign operators when the country has qualified people capable of managing it.

    12 September 2026 · Joy Online

  2. ECG procurement used by politicians to benefit, says ACEP director

    Ben Boakye, Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Energy Policy, has accused politicians and politically connected individuals of benefiting from ECG procurement practices. He argues that ECG's financial challenges include inefficiencies and alleged abuses in procurement, describing the utility as part of the "spoils of election" where politicians "milk" money through overpriced purchases and other leakages.

    12 September 2026 · Joy Online

  3. IPP contracts partly blame for Ghana's energy problems—TUC

    TUC Deputy Secretary General Dr Kwabena Nyarko Otoo attributes part of Ghana's energy-sector challenges to contractual arrangements with Independent Power Producers, and questions why government commissioned an IMF assessment of ECG without consulting workers and organised labour, given the IMF's advocacy for privatisation.

    12 September 2026 · Joy Online

  4. Newsfile examines SHS placement, ECG, World Bank tensions

    JoyNews' Newsfile programme will examine Senior High School placement challenges affecting about 55,000 students, tensions over the Electricity Company of Ghana's operations, organised labour's confrontation with the World Bank, and questions over government's management of State-Owned Enterprises.

    12 September 2026 · Joy Online

Friday 11 September

  1. Dafeamekpor accuses IMF of political bias against NDC

    The Majority Chief Whip has accused the IMF of showing political bias against the NDC government following the Fund's assessment of governance in Ghana's state-owned enterprises, arguing that the IMF criticises NDC administrations over practices also prevalent under NPP rule. The IMF report identified the politicisation of board and chief executive appointments as a major weakness, noting that appointments remain highly political and centralised in the Presidency despite Ghana's framework intended to make them merit-based.

    11 September 2026 · Joy Online

  2. IMF flags ECG, energy sector procurement and financial breaches

    The IMF's Technical Assistance Report identified significant financial and procurement weaknesses in the energy and roads sectors, with more than 15 percent of payables and 6.4 percent of procurement commitments breaching public financial management regulations. The report specifically highlights the Electricity Company of Ghana over procurement and contractual weaknesses, citing a Ghana Audit Service finding that ECG acquired electricity meters valued at approximately US$145 million through 50 contracts without complying with the Public Procurement Act, and notes that unsolicited "take-or-pay" Power Purchase Agreements have created ongoing financial obligations pressuring the energy sector.

    11 September 2026 · Joy Online

Thursday 10 September

  1. Ten SOEs recorded GH¢8.8 billion net loss in 2024

    Ten state-owned enterprises collectively recorded a net loss of GH¢8.8 billion in 2024, about 1.0% of GDP, with the Electricity Company of Ghana accounting for 85% of those losses. The IMF attributed the losses mainly to high financing costs, which reached GH¢9.4 billion—nearly six times the earnings before interest and tax.

    10 September 2026 · Joy Online

Wednesday 9 September

  1. Ghana must own energy crisis, not defer to IMF — PUWU

    The Public Utilities Workers Union has urged the government to take greater ownership of Ghana's energy sector challenges rather than relying heavily on IMF and World Bank prescriptions, and questioned why Independent Power Producers' pricing was not receiving greater attention in sector reform discussions.

    9 September 2026 · Joy Online

  2. Union urges IMF and World Bank to address IPP pricing

    The Public Utilities Workers Union has challenged the IMF and World Bank to broaden their focus on Ghana's energy crisis to include the pricing structure of Independent Power Producers, arguing that IPP agreements and generation costs are key concerns that must be addressed for lasting energy sector stability.

    9 September 2026 · Joy Online

  3. Ghana can resolve energy sector without heavy IMF reliance – PUWU

    The Public Utilities Workers Union argues Ghana has capacity to address its energy challenges independently, suggesting focus on structural problems like power generation costs and Independent Power Producer agreements rather than external financing. The IMF estimates a US$1.1 billion sectoral financing shortfall in 2026 due to collection losses and costly generation contracts.

    9 September 2026 · Joy Online

  4. PUWU criticises World Bank's energy-sector reform focus approach

    The Public Utilities Workers Union has challenged the World Bank's approach to Ghana's energy challenges, arguing that reform efforts should prioritise structural issues such as power generation and Independent Power Producer pricing rather than other areas. The union's deputy general secretary said Ghana has the capacity to address its challenges without overreliance on international institutions.

    9 September 2026 · Joy Online

Tuesday 8 September

  1. Energy Ministry distinguishes PSP from privatisation of ECG

    The Energy Ministry spokesperson has rejected characterisations of proposed private sector participation (PSP) in the Electricity Company of Ghana as privatisation, arguing that PSP does not involve transfer of ownership of ECG or the Northern Electricity Distribution Company, only greater private sector involvement in operations.

    8 September 2026 · Joy Online

  2. TUC says ECG private sector participation amounts to privatisation

    The Trades Union Congress disputes the government's distinction between private sector participation and privatisation in its proposed arrangement for the Electricity Company of Ghana, arguing that transferring control over distribution to a private operator constitutes privatisation regardless of whether assets are sold outright.

    8 September 2026 · Joy Online

  3. Government commits to continued talks with TUC over ECG privatisation

    The Energy Ministry says it will continue engaging the Trades Union Congress in good faith over the proposed private sector participation in the Electricity Company of Ghana, which the TUC has opposed as a form of privatisation. The ministry spokesperson urged the TUC to resolve outstanding concerns through direct, closed-door engagements rather than public exchanges.

    8 September 2026 · Joy Online

  4. TUC clarifies legal action threat excludes court proceedings

    The Trades Union Congress has clarified that its threat of "legal action" against proposed private sector participation in the Electricity Company of Ghana refers to traditional industrial relations tools rather than court cases, according to TUC Deputy Secretary-General Dr Kwabena Nyarko Otoo.

    8 September 2026 · Joy Online

  5. IES urges transparency in ECG private participation plan

    The Institute of Energy Security is calling on government to ensure greater transparency and broader consultation in its proposed private sector participation in the Electricity Company of Ghana's operations, citing concerns from consumers, workers, and organised labour, and citing lessons from the previous Power Distribution Services arrangement.

    8 September 2026 · Joy Online

  6. Calls for wider consultation on ECG private sector participation plan

    Collins Adomako-Mensah, Energy Committee member and Afigya Kwabre North MP, has called for broader consultation before deciding on private sector participation in ECG's operations. He noted that while the Minority supports private involvement at ECG's retail end to improve efficiency, the company's recent operational improvements raise questions about whether such participation remains necessary.

    8 September 2026 · Joy Online

  7. Tariff increases alone won't fix ECG's operational problems

    A senior analyst at the Institute for Energy Security says electricity tariff increments alone may not resolve operational challenges at the Electricity Company of Ghana, arguing that the focus should instead be on addressing commercial and technical losses—which stood at about 26% in 2025—and upgrading obsolete infrastructure within the distribution network.

    8 September 2026 · Joy Online

  8. NPP MP defends private sector participation in ECG operations

    An NPP MP and Energy Committee member says the Trades Union Congress has legitimate reasons to be cautious about World Bank proposals for private sector participation in ECG and NEDCo operations, but distinguishes this from full privatisation and notes the party supports private involvement if it improves efficiency and reliability.

    8 September 2026 · Joy Online

Sunday 6 September

  1. Chief Justice's SOE visits exceed constitutional authority

    An opinion piece argues that the Chief Justice's visits to state-owned enterprises to assess their performance fall outside his constitutional remit, which limits him to heading the Judiciary and presiding over the Supreme Court, and constitute an unconstitutional blurring of separation of powers.

    6 September 2026 · Joy Online

  2. Kumasi chief pledges support to ECG to protect electricity infrastructure

    Nana Osei Yaw Frimpong II, Kumasi Nhyiaesohene, has committed the traditional authority's support to the Electricity Company of Ghana to curb encroachment on utility corridors and preserve land designated for electricity infrastructure. He praised ECG for improved power supply in parts of his jurisdiction and said traditional authorities must help ECG fulfil its mandate.

    6 September 2026 · Joy Online

Saturday 5 September

  1. Nhyiaeso chief pledges to help ECG protect utility corridors

    The chief of Nhyiaeso in Kumasi has assured the Electricity Company of Ghana of support to prevent encroachment on utility corridors and enforce right-of-way laws in his jurisdiction, inviting residents to report violations to his office.

    5 September 2026 · Joy Online

Thursday 3 September

  1. SOEs' GH¢19.8bn profit questioned as driven by forex, not efficiency

    Ghana's State-Owned Enterprises posted a combined net profit after tax of GH¢19.80 billion in 2025, a sharp turnaround from a GH¢2.25 billion loss in 2024, but a Banking and Corporate Governance Consultant argues the gains reflect foreign-exchange performance and reduced finance costs rather than improved operational efficiency.

    3 September 2026 · Joy Online

  2. ECG customers in Ketu South protest over overbilling

    Customers of the Electricity Company of Ghana from various communities in Ketu South Municipality protested alleged overbilling and inaccurate electricity bills, marching to the ECG Denu District Office to demand greater transparency, accurate bills, and improved consumer engagement.

    3 September 2026 · Joy Online

  3. State enterprises' GH¢282bn debt threatens Ghana's economy

    A Banking and Corporate Governance Consultant has warned that Ghana's state-owned enterprises carry a GH¢282 billion debt burden that poses a major threat to economic stability, arguing that recent profit improvements may not reflect genuine operational efficiency but rather foreign exchange gains.

    3 September 2026 · Joy Online

  4. SIGA SOE report credibility questioned over conflicting figures

    The Dean of the Faculty of Finance and Accounting at UPSA has questioned the credibility of the State Interests and Governance Authority's recent report on state-owned enterprises, citing major inconsistencies in figures for other state enterprises — the report lists figures ranging from ¢2.4 billion to ¢11 billion in different sections.

    3 September 2026 · Joy Online

  5. UPSA Dean questions credibility of SOE financial report

    The Dean of UPSA's Faculty of Finance and Accounting has questioned the credibility of a report on state-owned enterprises' financial performance, citing inconsistencies in the figures presented. He highlighted ECG's rising liabilities (¢82.3 billion from above ¢70 billion in 2024) and noted that financial challenges extend to other state entities including the Ghana Gold Board.

    3 September 2026 · Joy Online

  6. Ghana must review and divest non-strategic state enterprises

    Banking consultant Dr Richmond Atuahene has called for a critical review of state-owned enterprises, warning that reported SOE profits may not reflect operational efficiency and that Ghana should distinguish between strategically important enterprises and those that could be removed from government's portfolio.

    3 September 2026 · Joy Online

Electricity Company of Ghana — Ghanaian press coverage · Ghana Minute