The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is under scrutiny after Auditor-General Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu revealed extensive breaches of the Public Procurement Act in the company’s meter procurement processes. The Auditor-General noted that expenditures exceeding $145 million were not in compliance with legal procurement guidelines.
Significant Findings
The Auditor-General disclosed that ECG signed 50 contracts for the procurement of 862,750 meters and accessories, amounting to $145,010,153.92, without adhering to the Public Procurement Act. This period under review spanned from 2016 to 2021 and included audits conducted between August and December 2022 at various ECG locations, including the headquarters and several regional and district offices.
Financial Oversights
In addition to procurement violations, ECG failed to recover GH¢53.9 million identified through internal monitoring efforts. Furthermore, the company did not pursue legal action against customers involved in electricity theft, missing an opportunity to deter such activities and recover lost revenues.
Recommendations for Compliance
The Auditor-General, in a letter to the Speaker of Parliament dated June 2, 2023, urged ECG to ensure full compliance with the Public Procurement Act in all future procurement activities. The Auditor-General stressed the importance of adherence to legal standards to prevent financial mismanagement and safeguard public resources.
The findings have raised significant concerns about governance and financial oversight at ECG, calling for immediate remedial actions to address the lapses and enhance accountability within the organization.
