The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) says it will soon begin a nationwide meter audit across its operational areas as part of efforts to reduce electricity theft, improve revenue assurance and ensure that customers are billed accurately. The announcement is important for households, landlords and businesses because authorised field teams are expected to inspect electricity meters and related installations.

According to ECG’s public notice, the exercise will cover prepaid and postpaid meters, Special Load Tariff installations used by some larger commercial and industrial customers, and associated wiring. The utility says the checks are intended to confirm the integrity of metering systems and identify irregularities that may lead to unrecorded consumption or inaccurate bills. ECG has not yet announced a start date for the exercise.

ECG has said its public announcement serves as the official notice and that it will not send separate appointment letters or advance notifications before staff visit. This makes it especially important for customers to understand the difference between allowing verified utility workers to carry out authorised duties and opening their premises to someone whose identity has not been confirmed.

The company says all participating employees and authorised agents will carry official ECG identification cards. Customers are encouraged to verify field personnel before granting access. The utility has identified two verification channels: its customer call centre on 0302 611 611 and the *226# USSD service available on mobile networks. Verification helps customers avoid impersonation while allowing legitimate inspections to proceed.

To use the USSD service, customers should dial *226# on their mobile phone, select Option 5 for Verify Staff, and enter the six-digit verification code provided by the person at the premises. The system should display the staff member’s name, region and district. Customers should compare those details with the person’s identification and should not proceed if the information does not match or if they feel pressured to bypass verification.

ECG has referred to Regulation 4(h) of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (Customer Service) Regulations, 2020, which requires consumers to grant a utility employee or authorised agent safe and reasonable access to premises to read a meter or check utility equipment, subject to verifiable identification and the relevant customer-charter procedures. Customers who are uncertain about their obligations should seek clarification directly from ECG or PURC rather than rely on forwarded messages.

Meter tampering, illegal connections and inaccurate readings can affect the finances of a power distributor and complicate efforts to maintain reliable electricity services. Commercial losses are different from technical losses that occur as electricity moves through a network, and reducing them requires accurate measurement, fair billing and consistent enforcement. A nationwide audit could help identify problems, but findings must be handled transparently and customers should have a way to query disputed assessments.

Customers should not pay cash to field officers simply because an audit is taking place. If a worker requests an unofficial payment or refuses to provide verifiable identification, residents should pause the interaction and contact ECG through its published channels. Landlords, property managers and security personnel should share the verification steps with tenants and staff so that everyone knows how to check an officer’s credentials.

ECG has not yet published the detailed rollout schedule, the order in which regions will be visited or the final process for resolving discrepancies uncovered during the exercise. Those details will matter for businesses that need to arrange access and for customers who want to understand how any meter issue will be documented. Clear communication can help ensure the audit is effective without creating avoidable disputes or opening opportunities for fraud.

The key takeaway for electricity customers is to prepare for a possible visit but verify identity before allowing anyone into a property. Use *226# and select Option 5, or call ECG on 0302 611 611 if further confirmation is needed. The audit’s success will depend on accurate inspections, fair treatment, secure reporting channels and clear information from ECG as implementation details are announced.

Source note: This report is based on published coverage from 3News. Customers should confirm details through official ECG channels as the rollout develops.

ECG to check all meters in Ghana – how to verify their staff

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