Energy Minister-Designate John Abdulai Jinapor has emphasized the importance of private sector participation in the operations of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to boost efficiency and enhance power distribution.
While addressing Parliament’s Appointments Committee during his vetting on Monday, Mr. Jinapor underscored the need for a structured and transparent approach to achieve this objective.
“We believe there should be private sector participation. What we intend to do is to form a 7-member committee, chaired by technical experts, legal experts, financial experts, and some industry players, and even somebody from the consumer side,” the former Deputy Minister stated.
He detailed the committee’s mandate to develop a comprehensive framework grounded in global best practices, assessing whether a concession model or full privatization would be the most appropriate approach.
The Yapei-Kusawgu MP assured that the process would be devoid of political interference.
“We will stay off as politicians and let them develop a framework in a transparent, open, and frank manner. Once we get the buy-in of Ghanaians, we can set standards using a Request for Proposal (RFP) or competitive tender process,” he added.
The Minister-designate affirmed that the government would not pursue sole-sourcing for private sector involvement in ECG operations.
Instead, a competitive process would be implemented, prioritizing local content and incorporating clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
“Our approach ensures a clear path forward, incorporating private sector expertise while safeguarding national interests,” he explained.
He also indicated that the energy sector debt has ballooned to $3 billion.
Meanwhile, the Public Utility Workers’ Union of TUC Ghana (PUWU) has expressed its opposition to the privatization of the ECG.
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