Some of the smart prepaid meters
The Accra West Region of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has begun installing smart prepaid meters for residents of Wiaboman, a coastal community in the Greater Accra Region.
The initiative aims to replace about 4,000 faulty meters and provide new applicants with MMS-compliant smart prepaid meters under the company’s Loss Reduction Programme (LRP).
According to ECG, the exercise will enhance service delivery, improve customer satisfaction and convenience, and help reduce commercial losses in the community.
At a community engagement with residents, the Acting District Manager for Bortianor, John Afanu, explained that the replacement exercise was entirely free for customers.
He added that ECG had been losing significant revenue in the area and hoped to seal the loopholes by replacing defective meters.
“With the smart prepaid meters, customers can buy power at any time of the day at their convenience. The ECG Power App also allows customers to directly report power outages and challenges,” Mr. Afanu said.
The Revenue Protection Manager, Dr. Mark Owusu Ansah, expressed concern about the high rate of illegal connections in the area, warning that such activities endanger lives and property.
“Illegally connecting to the grid without recourse to ECG overloads transformers, leading to damage and costly replacements,” he cautioned.
He further warned that individuals found engaging in illegal connections would be disconnected, surcharged for the stolen power, and prosecuted for power theft, adding that offenders could also be named publicly in the media.
Dr. Ansah also advised residents against using substandard electrical cables, urging them to hire certified electricians to prevent fire outbreaks.
Speaking on behalf of the community, the Assemblyman for Wiaboman, Samuel Mensah, welcomed ECG’s engagement and pledged the community’s support to address the challenges and curb illegal activities.
He said this collaboration would improve customer satisfaction while ensuring ECG receives the needed revenue from the area.
Present at the event were the Chief of Wiaboman, Nii Shantakplebi, local political leaders, traditional authorities, and community elders.
Residents were also educated on ECG’s recent digital innovations, including the ECG Mobile App and the shortcode *226#, which allow customers to check bills, make payments, and report faults conveniently.
By Gibril Abdul Razak