A call for reform in Ghana’s electricity billing system has been raised by Power Systems Economist Dr. Elikplim Kwabla Apetorgbor, who urges the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to enforce fair billing practices by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). Dr. Apetorgbor’s appeal highlights alleged issues with ECG’s billing of “innocent consumers” on a subjective basis, which he says undermines transparency and accountability within the utility sector.
In a detailed statement, Dr. Apetorgbor emphasized that ECG’s ongoing financial strain, exacerbated by untracked meters under the Self-Help Electrification Programme (SHEP), is due largely to inefficiencies in government-coordinated projects. He suggests that ECG’s revenue challenges stem not only from billing practices but also from gaps in the integration of SHEP meters into ECG’s billing system. The SHEP initiative, designed to provide electricity access to underserved regions, has reportedly left many meters unregistered in ECG’s billing database, resulting in unbilled consumption and significant revenue losses.
Dr. Apetorgbor calls on PURC to demand a full review of ECG’s billing and customer engagement protocols, focusing on consumer equity and clear revenue recovery methods. He also stresses that PURC should compel ECG to cease arbitrary billing, which he argues disproportionately affects paying consumers and erodes trust. Additionally, he advocates for government accountability in ensuring that SHEP meters are fully integrated into ECG’s billing infrastructure to close existing revenue gaps.
Ultimately, Dr. Apetorgbor’s appeal underscores a pressing need for PURC’s intervention to restore trust, transparency, and efficiency in Ghana’s electricity distribution sector. He further urges government and regulatory bodies to collaboratively address systemic billing issues, aiming to create a fairer, more sustainable framework for electricity consumers nationwide.