Assemblyman raises alarm over alleged illegal ECG charges in Ho

The Assemblyman for Sokode Bagble and Sokode Ando in the Ho Municipality, Hon. Wilson Akorli, has raised concerns over alleged illegal charges imposed on residents with faulty electricity meters.

Speaking at a Ho Municipal Assembly General Meeting on Tuesday, he accused some staff of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) of targeting customers and demanding unapproved payments. He claimed that in many cases, the money collected does not go through official ECG channels and that the amounts requested are often excessive.

Hon. Akorli said he formally brought the issue to the attention of the ECG representative at the meeting and requested that it be documented. While he acknowledged he had not personally encountered the officers involved, he said reports from his Unit Committee informed his concerns.

“My Unit Committee represents me. I cannot be everywhere at once, so I take their reports seriously,” he explained.

According to him, the situation has persisted for about one and a half years. He revealed that he has compiled a list of 84 affected customers, noting inconsistencies in the amounts demanded. “One client paid GH₵80, and later another charge of GH₵180 or GH₵120 was imposed. The amounts vary, and I don’t know what they are based on,” he said.

He also alleged that customers are not issued official receipts for such payments. As a precaution, he has advised residents to take photographs of individuals who demand money for faulty meter issues and report them for further action.

“I have used the public address system to inform people that if anyone comes demanding money for electricity or faulty meter issues, they should take a screenshot of the person and report it to the appropriate authorities,” he added.

Responding to the concerns, Ing. David Tawiah Okai, District Engineer of ECG in Ho, acknowledged reports of both staff misconduct and impostors posing as ECG officials. He urged Assembly Members to provide contact details and images of individuals who demand payments outside the official process.

“If someone comes to your community claiming to be from ECG and asks for money, let us know immediately so we can take action,” he said.

He also warned residents against phone scams where fraudsters claim a meter is ready and demand payments of up to GH₵1,000. “We do not conduct business this way. Once you apply for a meter and make the official payment, there is nothing more you are required to pay. If someone asks you for additional money, drop the call immediately,” he advised.

Mr Okai further cautioned against the activities of unlicensed electricians who tamper with power connections in communities, stressing that such actions pose serious safety risks.

He explained that ECG’s distribution system operates on four lines, three live phases and a neutral, and that improper interference can lead to dangerous short circuits and system imbalance.

“Such actions are extremely dangerous. Replacing damaged transformers is costly and can take hours to fix even a single faulty line,” he warned.

He concluded by outlining the official process for acquiring a meter, stating that customers must apply, receive payment advice, make payment through approved channels, and wait for installation.

“There is absolutely no need to give money to anyone for facilitation. All official transactions must be captured in ECG’s system, and customers should only deal with verified officers,” he emphasised.

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