Five in Ten Homes Linked to Power Theft in Northern Ghana
Meta Description: Ghana’s NEDCo reports that illegal electricity connections in the Northern Region account for up to 80% of power losses.
The Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) has raised alarm over widespread electricity theft in Ghana’s Northern Region, revealing that nearly half of all households are involved in illegal connections. Acting Managing Director John Okine Yamoah disclosed that NEDCo loses 45% of its distributed power each month, with 70–80% of these losses stemming from power theft.
“Out of every ten houses, at least five or six are illegally connected,” Yamoah told reporters in Tamale. He described the situation as unsustainable, adding that NEDCo’s losses in the region far exceed the company’s operational benchmark.
Compared to other areas where power losses average 20–21%, the Northern Region’s 45% loss rate is alarming. Yamoah attributed the issue to inadequate monitoring and enforcement, especially in Tamale and Yendi.
In response, NEDCo is implementing new measures, including the establishment of zonal Loss Control Units and night-time monitoring operations to curb illegal connections.
The company urged regulatory authorities and local communities to support efforts in tackling electricity theft, warning that failure to act could cripple energy distribution and financial sustainability.