BY Nadia Ntiamoah
The Electricity Company of Ghana has pushed back against growing public claims of overbilling, insisting that recent spikes in electricity consumption rates are largely due to outdated meters and not deliberate overcharging.
The controversy follows widespread complaints from consumers who reported that their prepaid electricity credits were depleting faster than usual, sparking concerns over possible billing irregularities. In response, the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition in February directed ECG to investigate the issue and provide clarity.
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on April 20, 2026, Acting Managing Director Julius Kpekpena disclosed that the company’s findings point to obsolete metering systems still operating on outdated tariff structures, some dating as far back as 2021.
According to him, many of these old meters have not been updated to reflect current electricity tariffs, resulting in customers unknowingly paying less than they should have over time.
He explained that once such meters are recalibrated to align with current rates, users may experience a sudden and significant increase in how quickly their prepaid credits are consumed.
“When we update these meters, customers may see a sharp jump in usage and assume they are being overcharged. But in reality, they had been underpaying for a long period,” he stated.
Kpekpena added that the transition from outdated to updated tariff settings can create the impression of overbilling, when in fact it reflects the true cost of electricity consumption under the current pricing regime.
The development sheds light on longstanding infrastructure challenges within Ghana’s power distribution system, where legacy equipment continues to affect service delivery and customer perception.
ECG says it is actively working to replace obsolete meters across the country to ensure accurate billing and improve transparency.
However, the situation has also highlighted the need for better public education on how tariff adjustments and meter updates impact electricity consumption.
