In a ceremony held Thursday, July 18, 2024, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, MP for Effutu and Majority Leader, delivered his inaugural address as the new Chairman of the Board of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). The address marked the beginning of a transformative era for Ghana’s power sector, emphasizing the need for innovation, efficiency, and a customer-centered approach.
Acknowledging Past Challenges and Successes
Afenyo-Markin began by recognizing the significant challenges that ECG has faced over the years, including unexpected outages, confusing bills, and unreliable service. He acknowledged the frustration these issues have caused for many Ghanaians, from students struggling with homework by candlelight to businesses hampered by power instability. Despite these challenges, he commended the improvements made under President Akufo-Addo’s leadership and the strategic efforts of past ECG board chairs and sector ministers.
Strategic Journey and Achievements
Reflecting on the recent strategic journey of ECG, Afenyo-Markin highlighted key initiatives outlined in the 2021-2024 strategy document. This strategy focused on revenue growth, operational excellence, and customer value, with ambitious goals such as delivering 95% of projects on time, meeting reliability standards, reducing system losses, and achieving a 10% operating margin. These initiatives, he noted, underscored a shift towards a customer-centered approach aimed at transforming ECG into a financially sustainable and customer-focused organization.
Vision for the Future
Afenyo-Markin outlined a vision built on four pillars: operational efficiency, financial sustainability, employee empowerment, and regulatory compliance. He acknowledged the challenges ahead, including ageing infrastructure, financial constraints, and a rapidly evolving global energy landscape. However, he expressed confidence that these challenges present opportunities for transformative change.
Commitment to Innovation and Customer Service
Emphasizing the importance of innovation and efficiency, Afenyo-Markin proposed deepening the deployment of smart grid technologies in major cities like Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi to reduce outage response times and enhance the quality of life for citizens. He also stressed the need to prioritize customer service by developing a more interactive and user-friendly digital platform to improve complaint resolution times and overall customer satisfaction.
Infrastructure and Financial Sustainability
Addressing the need for infrastructure improvements, Afenyo-Markin called for assessing current distribution networks and reducing technical losses to save resources and improve power delivery reliability. He also emphasized the importance of financial sustainability, advocating for transparent and accountable dealings that put the interests of Ghanaians first. He proposed refining procurement processes, exploring innovative financing instruments like green bonds, and reinvesting savings into better services and infrastructure.
Employee Empowerment and Regulatory Compliance
Afenyo-Markin highlighted the importance of investing in ECG’s workforce through comprehensive training programs and performance-based rewards systems to boost employee morale and productivity. He also stressed the need to enhance safety standards and create a culture of excellence. Furthermore, he called for prioritizing regulatory compliance and transparency by fortifying the compliance office and developing mechanisms for regular public reporting.
Call to Action
Concluding his address, Afenyo-Markin urged all stakeholders to unite behind the common purpose of transforming ECG into a formidable, dependable, and globally competitive power distributor. He called for the support and collaboration of government partners and the dedication of ECG employees, promising to guide improvements based on customer experiences.
A Vision for the Future
As Afenyo-Markin steps into his role as Chairman, he brings a wealth of experience from his diverse background as a businessman, lawyer, lawmaker, and chair of several other boards. His vision for ECG is not only to power homes and businesses but to energize the nation’s future. He called on all Ghanaians to join in the effort to light up Ghana for generations to come.
“Together, we can build an ECG that not only powers our homes and businesses but energizes our nation’s future,” Afenyo-Markin concluded. “Please bring your ideas, your energy, and your commitment to this cause because it’s only together that we can truly light up Ghana, not just for today, but for generations to come.”
The address marked a new chapter for ECG, setting the stage for a future of innovation, efficiency, and customer satisfaction in Ghana’s power sector.
By Jeorge Wilson Kingson || ghananewsonline.com.gh