Energy Minister-designate John Abdulai Jinapor has outlined a six-month timeline to establish a comprehensive framework for private sector participation in the operations of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
This initiative, he said, aims to enhance efficiency and improve power distribution in the country.
Speaking during his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, January 13, Mr. Jinapor reiterated the importance of transparency and 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 stated.
The committee will evaluate global best practices to determine whether a concession model or full privatization would be more suitable for ECG’s operations. Mr. Jinapor assured the committee that the government would avoid political interference, relying on an open and transparent process.
“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 said.
The Minister-designate stressed that the government would not resort to sole-sourcing but instead adopt a competitive tender process. He added that the initiative would prioritize local content and include 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.
He also addressed the broader challenges in the energy sector, revealing that the sector’s debt has risen to $3 billion. He underscored the urgency of reform, stating that the lessons learned from previous concessions would guide the government’s approach.
