Samuel Dubik Mahama, Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), has expressed concern over the involvement of influential political figures in debt recovery efforts. According to Mr. Mahama, individuals who owe ECG often seek political intervention when the company tries to collect outstanding payments.
He stressed the need for depoliticizing electricity issues, stating, “I will appeal that we don’t politicize power. You go and take your money, then they try to call big politicians to intervene. Let us not politicize power,” he told journalists.
On the subject of acquiring meters, Mr. Mahama urged the public to avoid using intermediaries, commonly referred to as “goroboys.” He highlighted that the ECG has digitized its system to simplify the meter acquisition process and property documentation.
When asked how long it takes to obtain a meter, Mr. Mahama clarified that with the new service connection process, it now takes no longer than seven days. “The online application for meters is effective. You can use *226 to apply. With the loss reduction program, it should take you a minimum of one week to acquire the meter after payment. This is for a new service connection. If you build a new house and need a meter, you will get it in seven days,” he explained.
Addressing concerns about intermediaries, he emphasized, “We know that there are goroboys in the system, and so we have started our premium service. If you need a meter immediately, don’t pay any goroboy.”
Regarding pricing, Mr. Mahama outlined the costs approved by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC): “Under PURC, a single-phase meter costs GHC 1,200, and a three-phase meter is GHC 2,300. I will urge the public to use the app or visit ECG offices and pay what PURC has approved. Let us use the right channels.”
