The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has issued a warning to customers about the dangers of hiring unauthorized electricians to work on its network. George Amoah, the General Manager for the Ashanti West Region, highlighted that these unlicensed operators engage in illegal activities that lead to substantial losses for both the company and its customers. During an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi, Amoah explained that unauthorized electricians often climb poles, use substandard materials, and improperly transfer customers between phases, which can cause power outages and transformer damage.
He cited a recent incident in the Suame District, where unauthorized work resulted in the loss of a 33kV transformer, necessitating its replacement with a 200kV unit valued at GH¢110,000. Additionally, areas like the Adum Business District have faced similar issues due to the actions of these electricians. Amoah warned that such activities not only damage equipment but also lead to financial losses from power that customers have already paid for but cannot use.
Moreover, he emphasized the life-threatening risks unauthorized electricians face when working on ECG networks, as they could be electrocuted due to the company’s ring system, which allows for power supply from different feeders even during outages. In a recent engagement with residents of Dabaa, it was found that they relied on a private electrician who overloaded a transformer by transferring customers to an inappropriate phase.
Amoah stressed that only electricians with proper permits from ECG are authorized to work within its network and can be identified by specific ECG-issued identification and safety gear. He concluded by warning that anyone found engaging in illegal electrical work would face prosecution under the relevant legal framework.