The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, has refuted allegations that the newly formed John Dramani Mahama-led administration intends to sell the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
Speaking to the media, Mr. Jinapor clarified that the government’s objective is not to privatize ECG but rather to involve the private sector in its management to enhance efficiency and service delivery.
His comments come in response to concerns raised by some members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), who have alleged that President Mahama’s push for private sector participation equates to an outright sale of the state-owned power distributor.
The debate over ECG’s future stems from President Mahama’s statement on January 8, 2025, where he suggested that privatization could be a viable solution to addressing inefficiencies in Ghana’s power distribution system. He noted that private sector involvement could help tackle operational inefficiencies, financial mismanagement, and inadequate service delivery.
However, Minister Jinapor stressed that any move toward private sector participation would be part of a broader strategy to modernize and improve the energy sector, rather than a wholesale sale of ECG.
He further disclosed that a seven-member technical committee has been established to consult various stakeholders, including labor unions, academia, and civil society groups, on the best path forward. The committee has already engaged with these stakeholders and is expected to submit its findings to the Cabinet for consideration.
Assuring Ghanaians of the government’s commitment to transparency, Mr. Jinapor urged the public to support the initiative, emphasizing that neither the President nor the Energy Ministry has any personal interest in the privatization of ECG.
“We are committed to ensuring that ECG remains efficient and serves the best interests of Ghanaians while maintaining significant local participation in its operations,” he added.
