By: Kenneth Appiah Bani.
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has introduced a groundbreaking initiative aimed at reducing revenue losses by leveraging the national identification card, Ghana Card. This innovative approach is expected to streamline the company’s operations, enhance revenue collection, and promote transparency.
According to ECG officials, the integration of the Ghana Card into their system will enable the company to verify the identity of its customers, thereby reducing the incidence of fraudulent activities. This move is anticipated to significantly minimize revenue losses, which have been a perennial challenge for the company.
The ECG’s decision to leverage the Ghana Card is a strategic response to the growing need for improved revenue collection and reduced fraud. By utilizing the national identification card, the company can ensure that customers are accurately identified, and their accounts are properly managed.
This initiative is also expected to enhance the overall customer experience, as it will enable ECG to provide more personalized services and improve its response to customer inquiries. Furthermore, the use of the Ghana Card will facilitate the company’s efforts to expand its customer base and increase access to electricity services.
The challenge of revenue losses is not new to the ECG. In February 2020, former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia launched the ECG’s mobile app, highlighting that the power distributor experiences an average annual revenue loss of about 25 percent, amounting to US$418.2 million. The company’s financial report for the end of 2023 revealed system losses of 28.41 percent for 2022 and 27.17 percent for 2023.
However, the ECG has been working to address these challenges. Former ECG Managing Director Samuel Dubik Mahama noted in September of last year that the company has seen over a 30 percent increase in revenue since the implementation of the Loss Reduction Programme (LRP). The integration of the Ghana Card is expected to build on this progress, enabling the ECG to further reduce revenue losses and improve its financial sustainability.
The ECG’s innovative approach has been praised by industry experts, who note that it demonstrates the company’s commitment to embracing technology and improving its operations. As the company continues to explore new ways to enhance its services, it is clear that the integration of the Ghana Card will play a critical role in its efforts to reduce revenue losses and promote transparency.
In conclusion, the ECG’s decision to leverage the national identification card is a bold step towards improving revenue collection, reducing fraud, and enhancing the customer experience. As the company continues to innovate and adapt to changing circumstances, it is likely that this initiative will have a lasting impact on the electricity sector in Ghana.
