Ashanti Region: ECG urges customer cooperation with franchise officers

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has requested customers in the Ashanti West Region to work with franchise officers as they take on new duties. These responsibilities include disconnecting customers who owe money and checking for illegal connections. This change followed complaints from some customers who claimed their previous roles were to only read meters and send out bills.

Ben Obeng Antwi, the Ashanti West Regional Public Relations Officer, explained that former meter readers were given these expanded duties under the Franchise Officer Project. This project started in Abuakwa and Suame districts in 2025 and has now been rolled out to all 92 ECG districts nationwide in 2026. Apart from the mentioned tasks, the officers are also tasked with visiting prepaid customers to ensure their meters are in good condition and to spot any unauthorized electricity connections.

While officers have the authority to check customers' debt records, demand payments from those behind in payments, and disconnect their electricity if they don't pay, Obeng Antwi warned against paying cash directly to these officers. ECG has been a cashless system since 2023. Customers who owe money can pay through the ECG Power App or by texting *226# to the company.

The franchise officers' job is to help customers complete the payment using these approved methods. Obeng Antwi stressed that the officers will carry identification cards and letters of authorization signed by their district managers when inspecting customers' premises. He urged customers to double-check the officers' IDs before allowing them to perform any tasks on their property.