Policy think tank IMANI Africa has raised red flags over the recent deployment of Franchise Officers by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), warning that the current manual verification methods leave customers "dangerously vulnerable" to sophisticated fraudsters.

In a tech policy brief released by IMANI Technology Policy Analyst John Sitsofe Mensah, the institute argues that relying on physical ID cards and paper letters creates a "visual trust fallacy"—a loophole where criminals can use forged branding and social engineering to extort money from unsuspecting households.

"Verification Void

The core of the problem, according to IMANI, is the lack of a digital "source of truth".

Under the current protocol announced on January 30th, customers are expected to verify an officer’s identity by looking at a physical card or calling a hotline.

"Physical IDs are easily forged: High-quality spoofing can mimic ECG branding, misleading even vigilant customers," the brief warns.

Furthermore, IMANI points out that expecting a customer to call a busy call centre (0302611611) while a stranger waits at their gate is "operationally unrealistic".

This friction often leads customers to bypass scepticism, especially when confronted with the common fraudster tactic of threatening immediate disconnection.

A Digital Blueprint for Trust

To close this gap, IMANI proposes a three-pronged systemic authentication architecture that moves beyond visual checks:

Feature	Mechanism	Benefit
QR Scan (App)	Customer scans Officer ID via ECG Power App.	Displays real-time photo and authorization status.
USSD Lookup	Dialling *226# and entering a Staff ID.	Provides an inclusive path for non-smartphone users.
Geofence SMS	Automatic SMS triggers when an officer enters a neighborhood.	Alerts residents that authorized billing is active in their cluster.

Immediate Survival Tactics for Customers

While calling for these digital upgrades, Mr Mensah urged ECG to take immediate communicative steps to protect the public.

IMANI is recommending that the utility provider:

1. Publicise ID Samples: Publicly define and display exactly what a "valid" ID looks like to reduce the success rate of forgeries.
2. Reinforce the "No-Cash" Rule: Aggressively market the fact that no ECG official is authorized to collect cash on-site. This remains the primary defense against financial fraud.
3. Fast-track the Shortcode: Prioritize the "Staff Lookup" feature on USSD to protect vulnerable populations without internet access.

"Without these measures," the brief concludes, "the deployment of Franchise Officers—intended to improve revenue—could inadvertently become a tool for organized crime."