ECG Ashanti West Recovers GH¢4.39m in Major Crackdown on Illegal Power Connections

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) in the Ashanti West Region has successfully recovered GH¢4,388,264.59 from customers engaged in illegal power connections during the 2025 operational year. This recovery constitutes a significant portion of the GH¢5,812,727.06 total surcharges levied against offenders following extensive field inspections. The investigations revealed that approximately 3,018,561.10 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity had been consumed unlawfully, highlighting the scale of revenue leakage facing the utility provider in the region.

During the monitoring exercise, ECG technical teams identified several sophisticated methods of power theft, including meter tampering, direct connections, and meter bypasses across various districts in Ashanti West. Mr. George Amoah, the Regional General Manager, explained that these illegal activities contribute heavily to the company's commercial losses. He emphasized that recovering these funds is critical for the sustainability of the electricity supply chain, as it ensures the company has the necessary revenue to maintain infrastructure and pay its own power suppliers.

Beyond the financial implications, the ECG management has issued a stern warning regarding the safety hazards and legal consequences of power theft. Mr. Amoah noted that illegal connections pose severe risks of fire and electrocution to both the offenders and the general public. He reminded customers that power theft is a prosecutable offense under Ghanaian law and that the company is prepared to take legal action against perpetrators. Moving forward, the ECG plans to intensify its monitoring efforts and is urging the public to report suspicious activities or suspected cases of illegal connections to help safeguard the nation's power resources.