A Ghanaian electricity consumer reported spending over 200 Ghana Cedis (GHC) on prepaid electricity in a single week, despite limited appliance usage – a tabletop refrigerator, an iron and three light bulbs. The complaint was voiced during a discussion on the #BreakfastDaily present on Channel One TV, sparking wider concern over rising electricity costs in the country.
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has recently been focused on expanding access to electricity across the nation. In February 2026, the ECG commissioned 21 distribution transformers to connect 24 communities in the Dambai District of the Oti region to the national grid, as part of the government’s Self-Support Electrification Project (SHEP). This initiative aims to extend electricity coverage to underserved areas.
However, the expansion of access appears to coincide with increasing costs for existing consumers. News reports tracked by 3News indicate a growing number of complaints related to the ECG, including concerns about power outages and, more recently, escalating bills. In 2025, the Ashanti Regional branch of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) recorded a 27% surge in complaints, resolving over 82% of them. The ECG also reported 44 electrical incidents within the Ashanti region during the same period.
Recent ECG activity has also included infrastructure upgrades. The company, in collaboration with GRIDCo, announced temporary power outages in Cape Coast to facilitate upgrades to the power supply network. The ECG Ashanti Sub-Transmission team engaged with the Regional Minister to discuss strategies for improving power reliability.
Discussions surrounding the ECG’s future have included considerations of private sector participation. While the Energy Ministry has clarified that the ECG is not for sale, frameworks for private sector involvement are being explored. Analysts have suggested that such participation could be a first step towards full privatization, a claim made by Brako-Powers, though the details of these frameworks remain under discussion.
The ECG has not yet responded to the specific concerns raised by the consumer on #BreakfastDaily regarding the high cost of prepaid electricity. The company’s website provides news and updates, but currently does not address the reported surge in consumer bills.
