Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has called for comprehensive reforms at the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), arguing that reducing the cost of electricity is essential to making the government’s 24-hour economy policy successful.
According to the Effutu Member of Parliament, government must tackle persistent challenges within the power sector, including revenue leakages, illegal connections and the failure of some consumers to pay for electricity they consume.
He believes repeatedly increasing electricity tariffs to compensate for inefficiencies in the sector is not a sustainable solution.
Speaking to journalists after cultural troupes from Winneba paid a visit to him at his residence, Mr Afenyo-Markin said the government should pursue reforms that improve efficiency and reduce the cost of electricity for households and businesses.
“They would have to look at the power sector critically and reform that place. Some reforms started; they should pursue them,” he said.
He identified illegal connections and non-payment of electricity bills as major issues that require urgent attention.
“Many people don’t pay for electricity they consume. There are a lot of illegal connections widespread. I think that it is one area where they have an opportunity to fix it,” he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin cautioned against relying on repeated tariff increases to resolve the financial challenges confronting ECG.
He argued that such an approach could further increase the cost of doing business and undermine efforts to attract investment.
“Otherwise, you see, we’ll continue to say increase the tariff, increase the tariff, but that will not be the solution. The government must be bold to fix the problems,” he said.»
The Minority Leader said affordable and reliable electricity would create a more favourable environment for businesses to operate for longer hours, expand production and create jobs.
He linked this directly to the government’s 24-hour economy initiative, stressing that the policy would require practical economic conditions to succeed.
‘What are the supporting pillars?’
Mr Afenyo-Markin also questioned whether adequate structures had been put in place to support the implementation of the 24-hour economy.
He warned that policy announcements and ambitious plans would not be enough unless government addressed the practical challenges businesses face.
“If you have a beautiful idea and you don’t put in the guardrails to ensure that implementation benefits the people, I’m sorry, you will fail,” he said.
He urged the government to build on reforms initiated by the previous administration and focus on measures that would improve efficiency within the power sector.
The Minority Leader further criticised what he described as excessive bureaucracy surrounding the 24-hour economy programme, insisting that government must prioritise the conditions that would enable businesses to operate effectively around the clock.
“Beyond the big English, what are the supporting pillars in place for successful implementation?” he asked.
He maintained that fixing the power sector, reducing electricity costs and ensuring reliable supply should form part of the key foundations for making the 24-hour economy a reality.
