The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has been commended for directing limited financial resources into critical infrastructure projects aimed at improving power supply across the country.
During a visit to ECG’s Lashibi substations, the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, said the company was operating with a much smaller budget than it had in 2024 but had still managed to prioritise essential upgrades.
According to him, ECG had moved away from non-essential spending and was instead investing in transformers, conductors, metres and other key equipment needed to improve the electricity distribution network.
Mr Jinapor revealed that while ECG had a budget allocation of GH¢9 billion in 2024, it is currently operating with an estimated budget of GH¢1.8 billion this year.
Despite the reduction, he said the company’s management had focused on projects that directly improve voltage stability, reduce outages and strengthen the efficiency of the grid.
He pointed to the replacement of ageing equipment, including a 22-year-old transformer at the Lashibi substation, as an example of the company’s targeted approach.
The Minister said the ongoing work forms part of a wider national programme to modernise the power distribution system in Accra, Kumasi and other parts of the country.
He added that the programme also covers areas served by the Northern Electricity Distribution Company.
Mr Jinapor noted that although Ghana has improved electricity generation capacity in recent years, some communities continue to face distribution problems because of overloaded and outdated infrastructure.
He stressed the need for continued investment in new transformers and related equipment to meet growing demand and ensure reliable power supply.
The Minister also urged ECG management to introduce stronger performance targets for district and regional managers to improve service delivery and speed up responses to outages.
He acknowledged that some interruptions may still occur due to incidents such as accidents involving utility poles, but said quicker restoration times would be essential to maintaining public confidence in the power sector.
