ECG warns of meter tempering

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has vowed not to spare anyone involved in meter tampering after uncovering widespread cases, including the newly installed smart prepaid meters in the Dansoman District of Accra.

Following the discovery in Dansoman, ECG has launched an investigation to identify and prosecute those involved in the illegal activity. ECG’s acting Managing Director, David Boadi Asamoahassured the public that no culprit would be spared, as the company is determined to enforce the law strictly.

“I must assure you, that the ECG will not spare anybody, being it a contractor, an electrician or whosoever if you are caught in this you will not be spared, so from what we have seen, we will run after them and the beneficiary will also have their share”, Mr. Asamoah warned.

Addressing journalistson the issueat a press conference dated Monday, February 3, Mr. Asamoah, described the tampering as a technically sophisticated crime. He disclosed that approximately 70,000 smart prepaid meters had been installed across various locations. However, frequent monitoring revealed that some users deliberately interfered with the meters daily to evade payment.

“We are installing these meters to ensure fairness and transparency—so that customers buy the power they need and use it accordingly. Unfortunately, some individuals tamper with them, either by bypassing the meter, cutting relays, or accessing internal terminals to manipulate the system. This is a criminal and destructive act.

The more we condone and connive with these individuals, the more we harm this country. We will not relent in our efforts to bring perpetrators to book,” he cautioned.

The illegal activity was detected during routine monitoring as part of the company’s Operation Keep the Lights On initiative.

During the exercise, ECG discovered that nine out of ten smart meters installed by a specific contractor had been tampered with. The company suspects a widespread practice where individuals manipulate the meters to avoid paying for electricity consumption.

The Director of Investigations, Prosecution, and Security at ECG, Paul Abariga, confirmed that the police unit attached to the company had been tasked with further investigations. He noted that ECG had gathered preliminary findings from various regions, which would guide law enforcement in identifying and prosecuting offenders.

“Based on the information received, our investigations will establish who exactly we will proceed against in court. This is a serious matter, and we are committed to ensuring justice is served,” Mr. Abariga emphasized.

The illegal tampering of smart meters has been identified as a major contributor to ECG’s revenue challenges. Mr. Abariga stressed the urgent need to curb the practice, warning that continued meter manipulation would worsen the financial difficulties facing the company.