ECG retrieves GH¢4.39m from illegal power connections in Ashanti West

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has recovered GH¢4,388,264.59 from customers who engaged in illegal power connections in the Ashanti West Region in 2025.

The recovered amount forms part of GH¢5,812,727.06 in surcharges imposed for unlawful electricity consumption during the year, equivalent to 3,018,561.10 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of power.

General Manager for the Ashanti West Region, George Amoah, told the Ghana News Agency that efforts are ongoing to retrieve the remaining balance. He explained that the exercise is aimed at reducing commercial losses from power theft and ensuring adequate revenue to sustain the electricity supply chain.

“As a company, we pay suppliers like GRIDCo, the Volta River Authority and Independent Power Producers for power purchased and distributed to customers. Illegal consumption denies us revenue to pay these key players,” he said.

Mr Amoah also noted that illegal connections place excessive pressure on transformers, often resulting in low voltage and frequent power interruptions.

He disclosed that ECG inspection teams visited about 8,182 customers—including households, hotels, restaurants and cold stores—in areas such as Bantama and Denkyemuoso during both day and night operations.

Offences detected included meter bypass, direct and unauthorised connections, as well as meter tampering.

Mr Amoah warned that illegal connections constitute a criminal offence prosecutable under Executive Instrument (E.I.) 38 of the Appointment of Public Prosecution Instrument (2010), and also pose safety risks such as fire outbreaks and electrocution.

He urged the public to report suspected cases and meter faults to the nearest ECG office rather than attempting to fix issues independently or engaging unapproved electricians.

Ashanti West Regional Revenue Protection Manager, Frank Mensah, added that monitoring would be intensified this year, noting that some offenders had replaced confiscated meters with fake ones in an attempt to evade payment.