The Electricity Company of Ghana Limited (ECG) has refuted allegations circulating online that its staff caused a fire at a residential facility in Two-Streams, Koforidua, during a disconnection exercise.
In a statement issued by the company’s General Manager for External Communications, Charles Nii Ayiku Ayiku, the ECG described the claims as “completely false” and urged the public to disregard them.
According to the statement, the customer in question owes ECG a total of GH¢6,519.38 in unpaid bills dating back to September 2024.
As part of its ongoing revenue mobilization drive, “Operation Keep the Lights On,” ECG staff visited the facility on January 24, 2025, to address the debt.
During the visit, the team reportedly discovered an illegal self-reconnection by the customer, prompting their decision to disconnect the facility.
However, the situation escalated when the customer allegedly resisted the disconnection and threatened the staff with a machete.
Sensing danger, the ECG team sought police assistance, and in the presence of officers, they disconnected the electricity supply directly from the pole outside the premises.
Hours later, a fire reportedly broke out at the facility, leading to accusations that ECG’s actions had caused the incident.
In their defense, ECG clarified that disconnecting power supply from a pole effectively cuts off electricity to a facility and cannot, under any circumstances, cause a fire.
“The allegation against ECG is completely false,” the statement emphasized.
The company reiterated that disconnection of power supply is a lawful operational procedure aimed at compelling defaulting customers to settle their debts.
ECG assured the public that it remains committed to protecting the lives and properties of its customers and operates in a manner that prioritizes their safety.
ECG also took the opportunity to caution customers against illegal connections, labeling the act as criminal with severe legal repercussions.
Customers were encouraged to promptly settle their electricity bills to avoid inconveniences.
The Electricity Company of Ghana remains steadfast in its mission to ensure efficient power distribution while maintaining safety standards for all stakeholders.
Below is the full statement:
RE–KOFORIDUA: RESIDENTS ACCUSE ECG STAFF OF CAUSING FIRE TO A RESIDENTIAL FACILITY
The attention of the Electricity Company of Ghana Limited (ECG) has been drawn to online publications accusing ECG staff of causing fire to a residential facility at Two-Streams in Koforidua, after a disconnection exercise.
ECG wishes to state clearly that the allegations are completely false and must be ignored.
The ECG postpaid customer in question owes ECG to the tune of GH¢6,519.38 since September 2024 and has been disconnected for non-payment of bills.
On 24th January 2025, as part of the ongoing revenue mobilization exercise (Operation Keep the Lights On), the ECG team visited the customer’s facility and discovered an illegal self-reconnection by the customer, and the team decided to disconnect the customer for the illegality.
The customer resisted the disconnection, and threatened the ECG staff with a machete.
Sensing danger, the ECG staff called for Police assistance, and in the presence of the Police, the ECG team disconnected the facility directly from the pole outside the facility.
The fire outbreak, per the reports, occurred later in the day, hours after our team had left the area of the incident.
ECG wishes to state categorically that disconnection of power supply directly from a pole totally curtails electricity supply to the affected premises and CANNOT, by any means, result in a fire outbreak. Thus, the customer’s allegation against ECG is completely false.
Disconnection has been part of our operations, backed by law, to ensure that recalcitrant customers pay for the electricity they consume.
The general public can be assured that as a customer-centric company, ECG will not engage in any act that would endanger the lives and property of our cherished customers.
We also take this opportunity to strongly advise customers to pay their electricity bills promptly and desist from indulging in any form of illegal connection, since it is criminal, and has legal consequences.
Signed
CHARLES NII AYIKU AYIKU, APR
GENERAL MANAGER/EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS, ECG
