The Electricity Company of Ghana's (ECG) Ashanti West region has successfully recovered a total of GH¢598,666.00 from 74 entities engaged in illegal connections during the first quarter of 2024.
The illegal connections were unearthed through comprehensive day and night monitoring exercises, where the revenue mobilisation team targeted various establishments including hotels, households, hostels, cold stores, restaurants, and institutions. These efforts aimed to identify individuals illicitly tapping into the national grid, thereby consuming electricity without proper authorization.
Mr. Maxwel Dapaah, the Ashanti West Regional General Manager, highlighted that the exercise was part of the company's strategy to combat power theft and ensure the sustainability of revenue generation within the electricity supply chain. Operational areas such as Ahodwo, Santasi, Apre, Abuakwa, Offinso, Kronum, Sokoban, and Patasi were scrutinized during the monitoring process.
Among the illegal activities uncovered were meter bypass, unauthorized direct connections, and meter tampering. Mr. Dapaah emphasized the adverse impact of such malpractices on the company's revenue mobilisation efforts, hindering crucial projects aimed at enhancing service delivery to customers.
He underscored the ripple effects of illegal connections, including overloading transformers, which subsequently leads to voltage fluctuations and interruptions in power supply to consumers. Mr. Dapaah cautioned against the dangers posed by illegal connections, highlighting the risk of fire outbreaks that could result in loss of lives and property.
In light of these concerns, Mr. Dapaah urged the public to remain vigilant and report instances of illegal connections to the ECG. He emphasized that beyond being a criminal offense punishable by law, illegal connections pose significant hazards to communities and undermine efforts to provide reliable electricity services.
The successful recovery of funds from illegal connections underscores ECG's commitment to combating power theft and ensuring equitable access to electricity resources across the Ashanti West region.