The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has warned Ghanaians against fake agents charging high fees for electricity meter connections. The official application form for a new service connection costs a fixed GH₵10. Despite this, some unauthorised agents are reportedly charging desperate customers large sums of money upfront for 'faster' meters that often never materialise.
To apply for a new electricity meter, customers can use the ECG Self Service Platform, the ECG Power App, or visit a district or regional ECG office in person. They must select "New Service Connection" under the Service Request menu and ensure their property's wiring has been completed by a licensed electrician, in line with Ghana's wiring regulations.
Residential applicants must submit a completed and signed Installation Completion Certificate from the electrician, a valid ID, and both the original and a photocopy of the site plan. Non-residential applicants must additionally provide proof of business. ECG advises customers to confirm that their electrician is licensed by the Energy Commission.
While the GH₵10 form fee is fixed, the total cost of the connection varies. After an application is submitted, ECG sends an inspection team to assess the premises and determine the type of connection required. This inspection forms the basis of a quotation, which the customer must pay in full before work begins.
The quotation includes VAT and NHIL, but the total depends on factors such as the distance from the existing ECG network and whether extra poles are needed. Requests needing more than two poles are treated as development projects requiring further engineering studies, which can add to both cost and time.
Customers in areas covered by the Self-Help Electrification Project (SHEP) or other government electrification programmes receive their service connection free of charge. For those in compound houses seeking a separate meter, the existing installation must first be split by a licensed electrician, and the applicant's monthly consumption must not have fallen below 300 units for three consecutive months.
ECG's warning is a direct response to scams in which fake agents allegedly charge customers for connections or meters that never materialise. Customers are advised to use official channels, such as the customer service line, 0302611611, and email, [email protected] , rather than third parties.
Key points
- The official application form for a new electricity meter connection costs a fixed GH₵10.
- ECG warns against fake agents charging high fees for electricity meter connections.
- Customers can apply for a new electricity meter through the ECG Self Service Platform, the ECG Power App, or by visiting a district or regional ECG office.
