The Centre for Environmental Management (CEMSE) has urged the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to adopt urgent cost-cutting measures to manage its rising debt, rather than transferring the burden to consumers.
Speaking on ABC News GH, Executive Director Benjamin Nsiah stressed that “it is not the fault of the user, but rather the company’s inefficiencies.”
He warned that the company’s financial mismanagement often results in high utility tariffs, even though consumers have no say in ECG’s procurement decisions.
Mr. Nsiah’s comments come on the heels of a joint petition by several civil society organisations (CSOs) to the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), calling for a downward review of electricity tariffs in the third quarter.
He asserted that “the company must have cost-cutting measures to pay the debt, and not their customers,” and called on ECG to accept responsibility for its operational shortcomings.
According to him, reducing inefficiencies at ECG would ultimately lead to savings for both the provider and the public.
In addition to internal reforms, Mr. Nsiah also called on the government to restructure the electricity tariff system to better support industries and protect ordinary citizens.
He outlined several recommendations, including tax rationalization, lowering borrowing costs, and policy reforms to cut down on imports.
Nsiah expressed confidence that the PURC would heed their call and ensure that economic pressure is not unfairly shifted onto Ghanaian households.
