The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has given the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) a strict 48-hour ultimatum to address widespread consumer complaints about the rapid and unexplained depletion of prepaid electricity credit units.
The directive was issued following an emergency meeting between the regulator and ECG management, prompted by mounting public outcry and high-profile allegations — including claims from IMANI Ghana founder Franklin Cudjoe that his GH¢1,500 credit vanished within hours.
Acting Executive Secretary of PURC, Dr. Shafic Suleman, speaking on Channel One Newsroom on Thursday, February 26, 2026, explained the rationale and expectations:
“The consumer must be protected, safeguarded, and be able to have equal access to ECG, and that is the focus. ECG is supposed to work timeously to solve the problem,” he stated.
Dr. Suleman confirmed that ECG has been instructed to submit a comprehensive report within 48 hours, detailing:
The root causes of the reported fast credit depletion
Technical, billing, or software issues identified
Immediate remedial actions already taken or planned
Steps to compensate affected customers where applicable
Preventive measures to restore public confidence
He expressed confidence in ECG’s ability to act swiftly but issued a clear warning:
“We will not hesitate to apply lawful measures should the company fail to meet this directive.”
The ultimatum follows weeks of escalating complaints on social media and traditional platforms, with many prepaid users reporting credits depleting far faster than their actual consumption patterns justify. Issues raised include:
- Suspected meter calibration errors
- Software glitches in prepaid vending systems
- Over-billing linked to recent tariff reviews
- Possible tampering or unauthorised deductions
The concerns gained renewed attention after Franklin Cudjoe publicly claimed his GH¢1,500 top-up was exhausted in under 24 hours, prompting the Ministry of Energy to order a separate ECG investigation (with a seven-day reporting deadline).
PURC’s intervention represents a stronger regulatory response, positioning the Commission as a direct enforcer of consumer protection standards under the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission Act.
ECG is expected to respond formally within the 48-hour window. Depending on the report’s findings, PURC could:
- Mandate immediate technical audits of affected meters
- Order refunds or compensation for verified over-deductions
- Impose fines or sanctions for non-compliance
- Require system-wide upgrades or recalibration
Consumers are advised to:
- Record meter readings and usage patterns
- Report anomalies promptly to ECG customer service or PURC
- Avoid unofficial agents or third-party “solutions” promising fixes
The development underscores ongoing tension between utility providers and consumers amid efforts to modernise billing systems, reduce losses, and improve service reliability in Ghana’s power sector. Further updates are anticipated once ECG submits its report.
