Gov't won't privatise Electricity Company of Ghana - Prez Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama says government does not have any intention of privatising the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

In concluding his speech at the May Day celebrations at the Jubilee Park in Wa in the Upper West region, the president said, "ECG is and will remain a wholly owned state enterprise."

He explained that government’s agreement under the Millennium Challenge Compact is to leverage private sector participation at the client level to assist in resolving clients complaints and revenue collection.

Not long ago, some 42 companies were reported to have submitted their bids to partner ECG in delivering services to Ghanaians.

In addition to some 18 local companies, others from the Nigeria, United Kingdom, France, Lebanon, Philippines, Turkey, United States of America, South Africa, Thailand, Ireland, Canada, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Israel and India were said to have tendered in bids.

However, President Mahama has assured that there will be no worker retrenchment as a result of this reform.

There have been fears that Ghanaians will not be able to pay for the service when a private company takes over the management of the state power distributor.

Recently, Member of Parliament (MP) for Atwima Mponua and a member of the Mines and Energy Committee of parliament, Isaac Asiamah said outsourcing the management of ECG to a private firm will bring untold hardship to Ghanaians.