Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) summons the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) over reports of prepaid units depleting unusually fast.

PURC Executive Secretary Dr Shafic Suleman directed ECG’s Managing Director and senior technical, commercial, ICT, and customer service officials to attend an emergency meeting on Wednesday, February 26, to explain the issue.

In a formal letter sighted by Myjoyonline, PURC said it had “taken note of widespread media reports and public complaints alleging rapid depletion of prepaid electricity units” following the January tariff adjustment under the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO).

The Energy Minister has also intervened, stating on February 24 via his spokesperson, Richmond Rockson, directing ECG to investigate and submit a comprehensive report within seven days.

“The PURC, the Energy Commission, the Ministry, and all the agencies are working together to get to the bottom of the matter and resolve it fairly and impartially,” he said.

ECG, however, denies wrongdoing. William Boateng, Communications Director at ECG, told Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem show that the company only applies tariffs approved by PURC and has not gone beyond the sanctioned rates.

“Whatever increment PURC gives us is what is captured in our system. We have not implemented anything beyond that,” Boateng said. He added that increased electricity usage driven by hot weather and the proliferation of electrical appliances may be the main contributors.

“When the heat increases, someone can even double the use of cooling appliances. That alone can affect your consumption.”

On January 1, 2026, PURC implemented a 9.86% electricity tariff hike under the 2026–2030 MYTO framework.

The adjustment aims to fund long-term investments in Ghana’s electricity infrastructure.

The increase has coincided with rising inflation in electricity and gas, from 6.1% year-on-year in December 2025 to 14.8% in January 2026.

The February 26 PURC meeting is expected to clarify how the MYTO tariff adjustment was integrated into the prepaid metering system, review any system parameter changes, and provide a report on the scale of consumer complaints and proposed resolution measures.