On Friday, the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, launched a seven-member committee tasked with exploring avenues for private sector participation in the operations of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
The initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to reform and revitalize the state-owned company, which has struggled with inefficiencies, mounting debt, and financial losses, impacting its ability to provide consistent and reliable electricity.
The committee, chaired by energy consultant Jabesh Amisah-Arthur, includes Dr. Shafic Suleman as Secretary and other members such as Mr. Benjamin Boakye, Dr. Simon Akorli, Mr. Ebenezer Baiden, Ms. Emma Akua Bulley, and Mr. Edward Abrokwah.
Minister Jinapor emphasized that addressing ECG’s challenges requires leveraging private sector expertise and resources to improve operational efficiency and ensure better service delivery across Ghana.
“We strongly believe private sector participation is necessary to drive the turnaround ECG needs,” he stated.
The Minister underscored the importance of neutrality and expertise in the committee’s work, assuring that the process would be free from political interference.
“As politicians, we will step back and allow the committee to develop a transparent and inclusive framework. Once Ghanaians approve the approach, we can proceed with a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a competitive tender process,” Mr. Jinapor said.
During his vetting on January 13, 2025, the Minister explained that the committee’s primary responsibility would be to propose sustainable models for private sector involvement that could enhance ECG’s financial stability and operational performance.
Committee chairman Mr. Amisah-Arthur expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and pledged the team’s dedication to addressing the concerns of customers, stakeholders, and the sector at large.
“Our focus will be on identifying the main weaknesses in the distribution sector while prioritizing homegrown solutions that provide local private sector entities with opportunities to contribute meaningfully,” he said.
He also acknowledged the lessons learned from previous reform efforts and promised a careful and diligent approach to ensure sustainable outcomes.
“We will do our utmost to meet the needs of customers, staff, and management, using our expertise to provide actionable recommendations for the sector’s development,” he added.
The committee’s work is expected to pave the way for a restructured ECG, poised to deliver reliable and efficient electricity supply while fostering growth in Ghana’s energy sector.
SOURCE: GNA
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