Energy Minister-Designate Outlines Six-Month Timeline for ECG Private Sector Framework
Energy Minister-designate John Abdulai Jinapor has committed to a six-month timeline to develop a framework for private sector participation in the operations of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). The initiative aims to enhance efficiency and improve power distribution across the country.
Addressing Parliament’s Appointments Committee during his vetting on Monday, January 13, Mr. Jinapor emphasized the importance of transparency and expert guidance in the process.
“We believe there should be private sector participation. What we intend to do is to form a seven-member committee, comprising technical experts, legal minds, financial analysts, industry players, and even a consumer representative,” he stated.
The committee will review global best practices to determine whether a concession model or full privatization is more suitable for ECG. Mr. Jinapor assured the committee of the government’s commitment to an open and transparent process, free from political interference.
“My target is to push for six months, but I do not want to stampede the committee. However, give or take, within this year, we should complete the framework,” he remarked.
Competitive Process and Local Content Focus
The Minister-designate ruled out sole-sourcing, indicating that a competitive tender process would be used to ensure fairness and accountability. Local content will be prioritized, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) will be established to ensure results-driven private sector engagement.
“Once we get the buy-in of Ghanaians, we can proceed with a Request for Proposal (RFP) or competitive tender process. Our approach ensures we incorporate private sector expertise while safeguarding national interests,” Mr. Jinapor explained.
Energy Sector Challenges
Mr. Jinapor also addressed the broader challenges in the energy sector, highlighting the sector’s debt, which has risen to $3 billion. He underscored the urgency of reform and noted that lessons learned from past concessions would inform the government’s strategy.
The Minister-designate’s proposal comes amid calls for innovative solutions to improve ECG’s operational efficiency and financial sustainability. Stakeholders will closely monitor the development of the framework, which has the potential to transform the country’s energy distribution landscape.
