John Jinapor orders ECG to halt all payments for supplies

John Jinapor, the Minister-Designate for Energy, has directed the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to immediately halt all payments for supplies as part of efforts to address inefficiencies and stabilize the power sector.

Issuing a stern warning to ECG staff, particularly those in the finance directorate, Jinapor cautioned that there would be serious repercussions if his directive was not followed.

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Thursday, January 9, 2025, Jinapor disclosed that ECG is grappling with substantial revenue losses. He pointed out that managing over 70 accounts within the company has made effective monitoring and control extremely challenging.

The Minister-Designate assured the public of his commitment to implementing broad reforms to streamline ECG’s operations, enhance efficiency, and ensure a stable and reliable power supply.

“The challenge of money emanates from inefficiencies. Because if ECG loses over 40% of its power generated, no matter what you do, you cannot find a solution. Other countries are doing just about 2-4% losses. So, with this $100 worth of power, you buy and sell, you collect only 60% and even with that, there are so many contracts, quality assurance, IT, provision and others.

“They are all deducting monies at the source. So, I have told the ECG, and this is also an instruction from the Chief of Staff, to seize all payment for supplies and I mean it. I have told them and if anybody is listening and is within ECG, whether the finance directorate, this was the instruction we gave them yesterday.

“Please don’t and I mean it, because there are serious consequences if you flout this directive. We need some serious buffers to anchor the system. All those numerous accounts will be closed. They have over 70 accounts and they cannot monitor that, so we need to reform that sector and we will reform that sector,” he stated.