The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has issued a warning to the public, urging them to refrain from buying counterfeit meters from unknown sellers. As the sole institution legally responsible for providing meters to consumers, ECG emphasizes that anyone involved in such illegal activities will face legal consequences.
In a recent interview on OTEC FM’s breakfast show, Mr. Benjamin Obeng Antwi, the ECG Public Relations Officer for the Ashanti West Region, expressed the company’s growing concern over the increasing presence of fake meters within their system. These counterfeit meters, which fail to accurately record energy consumption, are significantly affecting ECG’s revenue collection efforts.
Mr. Antwi revealed that some of these fake meters originate from Côte d’Ivoire and feature empty casings with only a display board inside. Lacking the necessary circuitry to measure energy usage, these meters allow customers to consume electricity without proper billing. He further explained that the internal design of these counterfeit meters directly connects the output and input terminals, potentially leading to fire hazards.
The ECG spokesperson strongly advised prospective customers in the Ashanti Region to acquire meters solely from the company itself. He reassured the public that ECG has an adequate supply of meters to meet customer demands and has instructed its district offices to streamline the meter acquisition process to minimize delays.
As part of its core operations, ECG conducts regular monitoring and auditing of energy meters and related equipment. Mr. Antwi urged potential customers and the general public to refrain from using fake meters, emphasizing the importance of obtaining meters through the proper channels to ensure accurate billing and maintain safety standards.
