President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has advised the Government of Ghana to put on hold its plans to privatize aspects of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), arguing that the decision requires careful consideration and practical measures before implementation.
In a social media post, Cudjoe shared his revised perspective on private sector involvement in ECG, urging policymakers to delay any privatization efforts for at least a year and a half to focus on sustainable energy sector reforms.
“I have had a rethink, at least for now, about private sector participation in ECG. It seems to me that instead of rushing to privatize aspects of ECG, we should try the following first for at least a year and a half,” he stated.
Proposed Alternative Plan
Cudjoe outlined a five-step approach aimed at improving transparency, accountability, and stakeholder involvement in Ghana’s energy sector before considering privatization:
- Framework for Openness: The Energy Minister and Chief Director should establish a collaborative vision with sector stakeholders to ensure efficient and cost-sensitive power provision.
- Commitment to Transparency: A pledge to open data and radical transparency in government energy policies and decision-making.
- Regular Public Engagement: Bi-weekly townhall meetings (both physical and virtual) to provide updates on procurement, performance tracking, and operations within the sector.
- Citizen Participation: A digital enrollment system to allow citizens to engage in decision-making processes.
- Periodic Feedback Mechanisms: Monthly polls to gauge public sentiment, with stakeholder-driven recommendations for improvement.
Cudjoe emphasized that these strategies could revitalize Ghana’s economy through ethical transformation without rushing into privatization. He also expressed concern about Ghana’s energy sector debts and the need for stronger governance.