Mahama Vows to Keep ECG Public, Eyes Private Sector Efficiency

President John Dramani Mahama has assured Ghanaians that the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) will not be privatised under his leadership, despite growing concerns about the power distributor’s staggering debt and operational inefficiencies.

Speaking during the 2025 May Day celebrations at Black Star Square in Accra, Mahama dismissed speculations about an imminent sell-off of ECG.

He clarified that his administration is focused on building public-private partnerships (PPPs) to improve the country’s power distribution system—not privatisation.

“Let me assure you that it is not my intention to privatise ECG as an institution,” Mahama said. “Our attention is more on a public-private collaboration to inject efficiency into our downstream electricity distribution system.”

According to the president, ECG is currently facing severe financial challenges due to poor governance, with debts ballooning to GH¢68 billion over the past eight years.

He warned that without urgent reforms, the entire power sector could be at risk of collapse.

Mahama stressed that improving the efficiency of power distribution is critical to reducing electricity tariffs and ensuring sustainability in the energy sector.

He cited a successful model from his previous tenure, where a private company, Enclave Power, was allowed to handle metering and billing for businesses within Ghana’s Free Zones enclave.

ECG continued supplying bulk power, and Enclave Power maintained a 99% revenue collection rate, consistently paying ECG on time.

“That’s proof that strategic collaboration with the private sector can work without giving away public assets,” His Excellency Mahama said.

Reaffirming his commitment, Mahama stated, “We can make our electricity distribution more effective through public-private partnerships. But let me repeat: ECG will not be privatised.”

His comments aimed to calm fears among workers and the public, especially in light of past controversies surrounding the power sector.

Mahama emphasized that maintaining ECG under public ownership while enhancing its operations through partnerships is the most viable path forward for Ghana’s energy future.