ECG Launches Nationwide Meter Audit to Combat Electricity Theft and Revenue Loss

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has announced plans to conduct a comprehensive nationwide audit of electricity meters in a bid to tackle mounting commercial losses, strengthen revenue collection and stamp out widespread electricity theft plaguing the sector.

The exercise will encompass all ECG operational zones and include systematic inspection and verification of both prepaid and postpaid metering systems, Special Load Tariff installations, and the associated electrical wiring connected to these systems. ECG says the initiative is designed to validate the accuracy of metering infrastructure and ensure customers are billed correctly for their actual electricity consumption.

How the Audit Will Work

ECG has made clear that the public announcement constitutes official notice of the exercise, and no individual notification letters or prior appointment arrangements will be issued to customers. The company has urged all stakeholders—including residential customers, landlords, estate managers, facility managers and security personnel—to cooperate fully with authorised ECG personnel and not deny or obstruct access to their premises on the basis of lacking individual letters.

All ECG staff and authorised agents conducting the audit will carry official identification cards. To protect customers from potential fraud or impersonation, ECG has provided multiple verification methods. Customers can confirm the legitimacy of field personnel by telephoning the ECG Customer Call Centre on 0302 611 611 or using the USSD code *226# available on all mobile networks. The USSD process requires dialling *226#, selecting Option 5 for staff verification, and entering the six-digit code provided by the staff member, after which the officer's full name, region and district will display for confirmation.

Why It Matters for Ghana

Electricity theft and inaccurate metering represent significant drains on Ghana's power sector. Commercial losses directly increase the financial burden on ECG, which in turn affects the company's ability to invest in network maintenance and expansion, and ultimately impacts consumers through tariff adjustments. A substantial portion of non-technical losses in Ghana's power distribution stems from meter tampering, bypassing and deliberate non-payment, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas.

This audit exercise reflects a broader push by the utility to improve operational efficiency and financial sustainability. By verifying the integrity of metering systems nationwide, ECG aims to identify faulty meters, detect illegal connections, and ensure that all customers pay proportionally for electricity consumed. The exercise also aligns with regulatory requirements under the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (Customer Service) Regulations, 2020, which mandate that consumers provide utility employees safe and reasonable access to premises for legitimate operational purposes, provided proper identification is presented.

Customer Guidance and Support

ECG has encouraged customers requiring additional information to contact the Customer Call Centre or reach out via official social media channels under the handle @ECGghOfficial. The company has emphasised that cooperation with the audit exercise benefits the broader electricity supply ecosystem in Ghana and helps maintain service reliability for all users.