It is long overdue for players in the power sector to become more proactive in responding to the concerns of consumers. The continuous increase in electricity tariffs and the high cost of electricity bills are creating widespread unrest in the country.
Although overbilling can be attributed to factors such as human error, faulty meters, and technological challenges, there is an urgent need for the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to act more decisively in its role as regulator. The PURC must ensure that the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) remains responsive to the challenges faced by consumers.
Energy Analyst Benjamin Nsiah made these remarks on the Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM, hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu in Accra.
He explained that tariff adjustments can contribute to increases in domestic electricity bills following assessments by service providers. However, he noted that high bills may also result from increased power consumption in households.
Mr. Nsiah emphasised that complaints about excessive billing are widespread. He called on the ECG to intensify public education through the media and other platforms at the district, regional, and national levels to address concerns about tariff increases and high bills.
Going forward, he stressed the need for the ECG to conduct thorough investigations into all electricity meters to determine whether they have been tampered with or are faulty. According to him, complaints about faulty meters have persisted since 2022, and it is time for both the ECG and the PURC to take proactive steps to resolve the issue.
In a related development, the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, has assured electricity consumers that all faulty meters identified through ongoing investigations will be replaced. He added that customers who have overpaid due to meter anomalies will be appropriately compensated.
The assurance follows a directive from the Ministry to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to investigate growing complaints about the rapid depletion of prepaid electricity credits. The power distributor has been given a seven-day deadline to submit a comprehensive report to guide further regulatory and administrative action.
“Once we conduct the investigation, if some meters are found to be faulty, we will replace them immediately because it is important that the right meters are installed. And if it turns out that people have overpaid, we must find a way to compensate them,” the Minister stated.
“But as I said, it is still too early. Let us complete the investigation. Fortunately, we have a very good working relationship with the PURC. The PURC, the Energy Commission, the Ministry, and all the agencies under my supervision are working together to ensure that we get to the bottom of this matter and resolve it in a fair and impartial manner.”