Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader in Parliament and MP for Effutu, has refuted allegations of mismanagement during his tenure as Board Chairman of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). He asserts that his leadership, spanning from July 2024 to January 2025, spearheaded critical reforms that streamlined operations and saved the company substantial costs. These reforms primarily focused on overhauling ECG’s procurement and contract management systems, addressing long-standing vulnerabilities that had exposed the company to financial risks. Afenyo-Markin’s response comes in the wake of accusations by energy expert and former Volta River Authority CEO, Dr. Charles Wereko-Brobbey, who publicly challenged him to account for ECG’s alleged losses between 2023 and 2024.
The crux of Afenyo-Markin’s defense rests on the implementation of a new procurement system. He highlights the previous system’s inherent flaws, where vendors would submit Bills of Lading at ports without stringent verification of the delivered items. This lack of oversight created opportunities for discrepancies and potential financial losses. Afenyo-Markin claims to have abolished this practice, replacing it with a system that mandates payment only after thorough verification of goods received at ECG’s own facilities. This shift towards transparency and accountability, he argues, resulted in significant cost savings and formed a cornerstone of his broader restructuring strategy.
Further bolstering his defense, Afenyo-Markin emphasizes his efforts to strengthen the Loss Reduction Program initiated by former President Nana Akufo-Addo. This program aimed to address systemic revenue losses stemming from obsolete and faulty meters. By bolstering this initiative, Afenyo-Markin aimed to enhance revenue collection and improve the overall financial health of ECG. He maintains that these actions demonstrate a clear commitment to fiscal responsibility and operational efficiency during his leadership.
Afenyo-Markin directly addresses Dr. Wereko-Brobbey’s accusations, labeling them as misleading and factually inaccurate. He points out a fundamental error in the timeline presented by Wereko-Brobbey, stating that he was not the Chairman of the ECG Board in 2023. His appointment, he clarifies, came from President Akufo-Addo on July 16, 2024, with his official swearing-in taking place the following day. Therefore, he argues, any attempt to attribute ECG’s 2023 performance to his leadership is fundamentally flawed.
The dispute highlights the ongoing challenges facing Ghana’s energy sector and the scrutiny placed upon those entrusted with its management. Afenyo-Markin’s detailed response aims to counter the narrative of mismanagement, portraying his tenure as one of reform and cost-saving initiatives. The contrasting perspectives offered by Afenyo-Markin and Dr. Wereko-Brobbey underscore the need for transparent and accurate assessments of ECG’s performance to ensure accountability and public trust.
Ultimately, the veracity of the claims and counter-claims will require further investigation and analysis of ECG’s financial records during the periods in question. This public exchange, however, serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in public institutions, particularly those responsible for essential services like electricity provision. A clear and accurate understanding of ECG’s performance is crucial for informed decision-making and the long-term stability of the Ghanaian energy sector.
