Energy Minister-designate proposes six-month timeline for ECG private sector participation framework
Energy Minister-designate John Abdulai Jinapor has proposed a six-month timeline to develop a comprehensive framework for private sector involvement in the operations of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
He emphasized that the initiative seeks to improve efficiency and power distribution across the country.
During his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, January 13, Mr. Jinapor stressed the importance of transparency and the inclusion of expert input 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 said.
The committee will assess global best practices to determine whether a concession model or full privatization is more appropriate for ECG’s operations. Mr. Jinapor assured the committee that the government would ensure 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 stated.
The Minister-designate emphasized that the government would avoid sole-sourcing and instead implement a competitive tender process. He further highlighted that the initiative would focus on local content and incorporate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to ensure accountability.
“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.
Mr. Jinapor also discussed the wider challenges facing the energy sector, revealing that its debt has escalated to $3 billion. Emphasizing the need for urgent reform, he stated that the government would draw on lessons from past concessions to guide its approach.
