Accra: Dr Ernest Sanyare Warmann Beinpuo, a Nuclear Regulatory Scientist, has labeled as ‘misguided’ the belief that privatising the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) will resolve the country’s electricity challenges. President John Dramani Mahama recently suggested the possibility of privatising Ghana’s power distributor to tackle issues such as operational inefficiencies, financial mismanagement, and inadequate service delivery.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr Beinpuo, in a recent interview, spoke against the notion of privatising ECG. He asserted, “Privatisation does not guarantee efficiency or affordability.” He further elaborated that privatisation often results in higher tariffs and reduced access for low-income households. Dr Beinpuo emphasized that if privatisation is considered, the government should first address inefficiencies in the generation and transmission sectors, which significantly contribute to the country’s power problems.
Dr Beinpuo, a Radiation Protection expert, described ECG as a strategic national asset with the potential to generate revenue, create jobs, and drive industrial growth if managed effectively. He warned that privatising ECG could risk transferring control of a critical public utility to private interests that prioritize profits over public welfare. He urged the government to focus on implementing strong governance, addressing corruption, and investing in modern infrastructure to make ECG profitable and sustainable, ensuring equitable and affordable electricity for all citizens.
He argued that if the government cannot manage such a vital national asset profitably, “then perhaps it is the government itself that needs restructuring, not ECG,” citing examples from China. Dr Beinpuo highlighted the success of Chinese state institutions in managing electricity generation, transmission, and distribution profitably, demonstrating that state-owned enterprises can thrive under competent management. He noted that these institutions also efficiently manage other critical sectors like water and telecommunications.