An economist at the University of Ghana Business School, Professor Godfred Bopkin, has called for broader support for government efforts to bring private sector participation into the downstream distribution operations of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

Speaking on JoyNews' Newsfile programme on Saturday, May 17, Professor Bopkin highlighted the importance of leadership in making difficult but necessary decisions, suggesting that sometimes “a good leader needs to tickle people a bit” to drive meaningful progress.

“I believe they will make some progress,” he said.

“So, if you put all these things together — internal issues with ECG such as procurement challenges, management inefficiencies, and political interference — I think we are at the point where we should all support government in some kind of private sector participation in the downstream distribution,” he continued.

He clarified that this does not equate to a sale of ECG, stressing that government can maintain full ownership of the utility while still allowing private players to contribute.

“Government can still be the sole shareholder of ECG, but we should be able to invite the private sector into the distribution of power and collection, which will also require them to bring in capital and private sector efficiency,” Prof. Bopkin noted.

However, Professor Bopkin believes that strategic involvement of the private sector without relinquishing state ownership could introduce much-needed innovation and operational discipline, ultimately benefiting consumers and the broader economy.