By Dominic Hlordzi
A Seven-member technical committee has been inaugurated to work out modalities for private sector participation in the operation of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo).
Inaugurating the committee in Accra, the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Mr. John Jinapor, underscored the need for the power distributors, ECG and NEDCo, to be efficient and responsive to the electricity needs of the people.
With the inherent challenges in the operation of ECG and NEDCo, the new administration promised to take steps to inject efficiency into the distribution of electricity.
The power distributors face two main challenges: distribution losses and the inability to collect bills after selling the power.
These challenges, among other considerations, informed the government’s decision to involve private sector players in the operations of ECG and NEDCo, hence the formation of the technical committee.
Members of the committee include former CEO of the Bui Power Authority, Mr. Jabesh Amissah-Arthur; Benjamin Boakye of ACEP; and Senior Lecturer at the Institute for Oil and Gas Studies, University of Cape Coast, Dr. Shafic Sulemana. The rest are Dr. Simon Akorli of PURC, Mr. Ebenezer Baiden of ECG, lawyer Ama Akua Bulley, and energy expert Mr. Edward Abrokwah.
Inaugurating the committee, the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Mr. John Jinapor, charged members of the committee to do their best for the country.
He stated that during the campaign and in the NDC’s manifesto, the party outlined its plans to reform the energy sector and include private sector participation in the distribution of electricity.
The minister said the president has reiterated this vision on many occasions, and the formation of the committee aligns with the goal to strengthen the operations of the power distributors, reduce losses, and ensure efficiency.
“We have not taken a firm decision on the model to adopt,” he stated, adding that the committee’s work will guide the government in arriving at the best model.
The main duty of the committee is to consult extensively with key stakeholders and advise the ministry on the best way forward for the inclusion of local content participation in the operations of ECG and NEDCo.
Mr. Jinapor explained that the government aims to inject efficiency and accountability into the energy sector.
He urged ECG and NEDCo staff members, as well as the general public, to give the committee maximum cooperation in its work.
He further stated that whatever model is chosen will be subjected to a rigorous bidding process to ensure the best outcome for the power distribution sector.
The chairman of the committee, Mr. Jabesh Amissah-Arthur, thanked the minister for the confidence reposed in them and assured him of the members’ commitment to the task.
The committee has one month to present its report.
