Electricity consumers across Ghana who say their prepaid power units are finishing unusually quickly have prompted swift action from the country’s energy regulator.
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has summoned the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to an emergency meeting following mounting complaints that prepaid credits are depleting faster than expected after the latest tariff adjustment under the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO).
In a letter dated February 25, 2026, the Commission acknowledged the growing public concern, noting that the issue carries serious regulatory, technical, and consumer protection implications. According to the regulator, the situation also risks undermining public confidence in Ghana’s prepaid metering and vending systems if not addressed promptly.
Emergency Talks Set for Accra
The high-level meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. at the PURC GNAT Office in Accra.
At the meeting, ECG will be required to provide a detailed technical explanation of how the revised tariff has been implemented within its prepaid vending and metering infrastructure. The Commission has specifically requested clarity on:
• Any changes made to system parameters, configuration settings, or conversion logic following the MYTO adjustment
• Vending data trends since the new tariffs took effect
• Meter update procedures and protocols
• The number and nature of complaints received from customers
• Steps taken so far to resolve reported issues
Protecting Consumers and Public Trust
Beyond the technical briefing, PURC is also demanding immediate proposals from ECG on measures to protect consumers and restore confidence. This includes both technical fixes—if faults are identified—and improved communication strategies to keep customers properly informed about tariff calculations and billing mechanisms.
The MYTO framework allows for periodic tariff reviews to reflect changes in factors such as fuel costs, exchange rates, and operational expenses. However, the regulator appears keen to ensure that the latest adjustments have been correctly programmed into prepaid systems and that consumers are being charged accurately.
For many households and small businesses that rely on prepaid meters to manage tight budgets, unexpected depletion of electricity units can create significant financial strain. The outcome of Thursday’s meeting is therefore expected to be closely watched by the public.
The Commission has not yet indicated whether further regulatory action will follow, pending the outcome of its engagement with ECG.
Source: Africa Publicity
