Privatizing aspects of ECG must be put on hold – Franklin Cudjoe

Franklin Cudjoe from Imani Africa advises the government to halt plans to privatize ECG.

The Ghanaian government has suggested privatizing parts of ECG's operations.

Cudjoe believes this decision should be delayed for at least a year. He wants practical measures in place to address the energy crisis.

In a social media post, he expressed his change of mind. He stated, “Instead of rushing to privatize ECG, let’s try other options first.”

Cudjoe offered alternatives for tackling challenges in the energy sector. He criticized the energy minister's negative tone about these issues.

He acknowledged past leadership left significant debts but expected better planning. Power is crucial for any economy, especially a 24-hour one.

Cudjoe proposed several steps for improvement over the next year and a half:

First, the energy minister should create an open framework with stakeholders. This framework should focus on providing reliable power efficiently.

Second, they must commit to open data and transparency.

Third, bi-weekly town halls should be held both physically and virtually. These meetings will discuss procurement, performance, and monitoring openly.

Any unanswered questions will be addressed within a week.

Fourth, citizens can join the stakeholder group through a simple digital system.

Fifth, monthly polls will gauge stakeholder opinions. Only those who attend at least one town hall can participate.

At six months, progress will be celebrated with feedback provided for improvement.

This model is called RESET: Revitalising the Economy through Stewardship & Ethical Transformation. It aims to enhance existing audits and controls while engaging citizens meaningfully.