President John Dramani Mahama has raised the possibility of privatizing the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) as part of a comprehensive strategy to tackle inefficiencies in the country’s power distribution system.
During a meeting with a World Bank delegation on January 8, 2025, at his office in Accra, Mahama explained that involving the private sector in managing ECG could help address longstanding issues such as operational inefficiencies, financial mismanagement, and inadequate service delivery.
Mahama emphasized that the potential privatization of ECG is part of broader efforts to modernize Ghana’s energy sector and improve its overall performance. Reflecting on his past role as Vice President during Ghana’s involvement in the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact, Mahama highlighted the critical importance of efficient energy distribution in meeting the country’s development goals.
“Privatizing ECG could be a crucial step towards creating a sustainable energy sector that can meet the growing demands of Ghana’s economy,” Mahama stated. He also underscored that any decisions regarding the future of ECG would be made following extensive consultations to ensure that public interest is carefully balanced with the need for improved service delivery.
“We cannot continue to face challenges with our power value chain. Fixing the Electricity Company of Ghana is key, and bringing in private sector efficiency will be a priority. We plan to engage with the World Bank to gain the expertise needed for this process,” Mahama added.
