The new Board Chair of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has said that the challenges confronting the company will not define its future.
Mr Afenyo-Markin said he is confident that with determination and hard work the ECG will emerge stronger and more resilient in achieving growth inspired by innovation under his leadership. He promised to bring his expertise to bear to change the fortunes of the company,
The realisation of this dream, he noted, will be anchored on a four-pillar plan: Operational efficiency, Financial sustainability, Employee empowerment and Regulatory compliance.
“Let me be clear; the road ahead is challenging. We face ageing infrastructure, financial constraints and a rapidly evolving global energy landscape. Yet, I believe that within these challenges lie opportunities for transformational change,” he noted.
Afenyo-Markin made this observation last Wednesday, July 17, 2024 during his inaugural address as Board Chair of the ECG.
He praised the efforts of past leaders and sector ministers, whose strategic foresight and dedication had laid a robust foundation for the company’s growth.
He highlighted the progress made in recent years, including the launch of value-added services and a shift towards a customer-centered approach.
He said it was upon the robust foundation laid that he, together with the other board members and management of the company, will rely on in executing the four-pillar plan for ECG’s future.
Innovation and Efficiency
With a focus on innovation and efficiency, Afenyo-Markin, who is also the MP for Effutu constituency and Majority Leader of the Parliament of Ghana, proposed deploying smart grid technologies in big cities like Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi.
“This technology has the power to reduce outage response times, boost businesses and enhance the quality of life for our citizens,” he noted.
The lawmaker also underscored prioritising customer service by developing a more interactive and user-friendly digital platform, believing that the tool, when deployed, could help reduce complaint resolution times and improve overall customer satisfaction.
“This is not just a matter of convenience; it’s a matter of justice. Every Ghanaian deserves access to reliable and efficient electricity,”
Infrastructure
He emphasised the need for a thorough assessment of the company’s distribution networks, stressing that such an exercise could help reduce technical losses and save resources to improve power delivery reliability.
Financial Sustainability
Touching on the financial sustainability plan of the company, the Majority Leader said such could be attained when there is trust, transparency and accountability in all their dealings, and always putting the interest of the Ghanaian people first.
He also underscored the need to explore options to refine the company’s procurement processes to cut down costs.
“By reinvesting these savings into better services and infrastructure, we can create a virtuous cycle of efficiency and growth,” further urging management to embrace innovative financing instruments like green bonds to support infrastructure upgrades and align with global sustainability trends to secure a greener future for Ghana.
Employee Empowerment
To achieve the vision, he said it was important to invest in the workforce of the ECG by providing training programs and performance-based rewards systems to boost employee morale and productivity.
Enhancing safety standards to reduce workplace incidents and create a culture of excellence, he added, should also be prioritised.
Regulatory Compliance
The Majority Leader also emphasised the need to prioritize regulatory compliance and transparency, stressing that “by fortifying our compliance office and developing mechanisms for regular public reporting, we can enhance trust and accountability”.
“Let us approach these possibilities with a sense of purpose, urgency, and responsibility. We have a short timeframe, but we have a long-term vision. We are not just building for today; we are building for tomorrow. We are not just building for ourselves; we are building for our children and our grandchildren,” he stated.
By Stephen Odoi-Larbi
