Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has urged the government to fix the persistent challenges facing the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and make electricity more affordable if its 24-hour economy programme is to succeed.
According to the Effutu Member of Parliament, government must focus on fixing revenue leakages, widespread illegal connections and non-payment for electricity instead of relying on repeated tariff increases to cover inefficiencies in the power sector.
Speaking to journalists after cultural troupes from Winneba visited him at his residence, Mr Afenyo-Markin said cheaper and reliable electricity was critical to attracting private investment and encouraging businesses to operate under the government’s proposed 24-hour economy.
“They would have to look at the power sector critically and reform that place. Some reforms started; they should pursue them,” he said.
He pointed to illegal connections and unpaid electricity bills as some of the major challenges government must address.
“Many people don’t pay for electricity they consume. There are a lot of illegal connections widespread. I think that it is one area where they have an opportunity to fix it,” he added.
Mr Afenyo-Markin warned that continuously increasing electricity tariffs would not provide a lasting solution to the financial challenges confronting the power sector.
“Otherwise, you see, we’ll continue to say increase the tariff, increase the tariff, but that will not be the solution. The government must be bold to fix the problems,” he said.
He argued that reducing electricity costs and improving supply would give businesses greater confidence to invest and expand their operations, particularly if the government wants the 24-hour economy to become a practical reality.
The Minority Leader also questioned whether the government had put in place the necessary structures and safeguards to support the policy, stressing that a good idea alone would not guarantee successful implementation.
“If you have a beautiful idea and you don’t put in the guardrails to ensure that implementation benefits the people, I’m sorry, you will fail,” he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin urged the government to build on reforms initiated by the previous administration and focus on practical measures that would improve efficiency, reduce costs and support businesses.
He also criticised what he described as excessive bureaucracy surrounding the 24-hour economy programme, questioning whether the necessary supporting pillars were in place.
“Beyond the big English, what are the supporting pillars in place for successful implementation?” he asked.
