Privatising ECG will be considered to improve power distribution – Mahama

Privatising ECG will be considered to improve power distribution – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has indicated the possibility of privatizing the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) as part of efforts to address inefficiencies in the country’s power distribution system.

The President believes that involving the private sector in managing ECG could help resolve longstanding challenges, including operational inefficiencies, financial mismanagement, and inadequate service delivery.

Speaking during a meeting with a delegation from the World Bank on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at his private office in Accra, Mahama noted that privatization may form part of a broader strategy to modernize and enhance the performance of the energy sector.

Reflecting on Ghana’s participation in the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact during his tenure as Vice President, Mahama emphasized the importance of efficient energy distribution in achieving the nation’s development goals. He highlighted that any move towards privatization would focus on ensuring a sustainable energy sector capable of meeting the growing demands of Ghana’s economy.

Mahama also assured stakeholders that decisions regarding ECG’s future would involve thorough consultations to balance public interest with the need for improved performance.

“If we don’t fix the Electricity Company of Ghana, we will continue to have a major problem with our whole power value chain. So, going ahead with privatising the last point of electricity distribution, bringing in private sector efficiency is something that we want to take up again. We want to speak with the World Bank to get the expertise to be able to do that.”