The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has initiated a Spot Billing Franchising Project in Koforidua, aimed at enhancing revenue mobilisation, strengthening accountability, and improving customer service delivery. This project, themed “Safeguarding Revenue, Powering Ghana,” seeks to improve meter reading, ensure accurate billing, identify illegal connections, and strengthen revenue collection.
Dr. Julius Abayateye, Acting Deputy Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, emphasised that safeguarding revenue is critical to the financial sustainability and operational efficiency of the electricity sector. He noted that while investments in power generation, transmission, and distribution are important, the sector's sustainability largely depends on accurate billing, timely payment, and effective revenue collection.
The project has deployed over 1,500 contractors across 92 districts, with pilot results showing a 21.3% improvement in meter-reading performance. Dr. Abayateye stated that ECG aims to increase revenue collection from 86% to 98% and reduce system losses from 26.88% to 21.5% by 2028. He called for stronger customer engagement, reliable customer data, and collective efforts to curb illegal connections and electricity theft.
Mr. Ebenezer Baiden, Deputy Managing Director in charge of Commercial Services at ECG, noted that the initiative complements prepaid metering, which cannot adequately serve all customers. The project, piloted in six districts across the Eastern, Ashanti, Central, and Volta regions, has been rolled out nationwide. Contractors are equipped with handheld devices and applications to undertake meter reading, bill delivery, identify illegal connections, and support debt recovery.
Mr. Julius Kwame Kpekpena, Managing Director of ECG, stated that the initiative has broadened contractors' responsibilities beyond meter reading to include identifying faulty and bypassed meters, monitoring prepaid meters, validating customer information, and supporting authorised disconnections and reconnections. Contractors will be paid based on verified work, while technology will support electronic monitoring and verification of authorised field personnel.
Mrs. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, Eastern Regional Minister, commended ECG for the initiative, describing it as a step towards improving efficiency, accountability, and electricity service delivery. She urged customers to pay their bills promptly and report illegal connections, while calling on contractors to work honestly and management to ensure effective supervision and respond promptly to customer concerns.
The project has provided franchise contractors with vehicles and motorcycles to facilitate their operations. With the implementation of this project, ECG aims to improve revenue collection, reduce system losses, and enhance customer service delivery.
Key points
- The project aims to increase revenue collection from 86% to 98% and reduce system losses from 26.88% to 21.5% by 2028.
- Over 1,500 contractors have been deployed across 92 districts to undertake meter reading, bill delivery, and other responsibilities.
- The initiative complements prepaid metering, which cannot adequately serve all customers, and has been rolled out nationwide.
