Imani Africa’s Franklin Cudjoe has couselled government to abort the decision to privatize aspects of ECG.
Government of Ghana has hinted of privatizing some aspects of the operations of ECG.
But Franklin Cudjoe holds the view that the move must be stalled for at least a year for practical measures to be put in place in dealing with the energy sector crisis.
In a post shared via social media, he said “I have had a rethink, at least for now, about private sector participation in ECG. It seems to me that instead of rushing to privatise aspects of ECG, we should try the following first for at least a year and a half”.
He provided an alternative to the government in dealing with the challenges in the sector.
His post shared via social media read “By the way, I really do not like the ‘mobo’ ( forlorn) tone of my brother, the energy minister, when he speaks about the challenges of the energy sector. True, the previous damaging directors left humongous debts, but I assume he knew all of these and must have had a good practical plan while in opposition. Power is everything – the lifeblood of any economy – even more so, a 24-hour economy.
I have had a rethink, at least for now, about private sector participation in ECG. It seems to me that instead of rushing to privatise aspects of ECG, we should try the following first for at least a year and a half.
First, the energy minister and his chief director should sign on to a framework of openness and stakeholder co-creation of a defined vision for the sector- provision of reliable power in an efficient cost-sensitive manner. Stakeholders here apply to all in the power sector.
Second, they should commit to open data and radical transparency.
Third, they should hold bi-weekly hybrid (physical and virtual) townhalls where every aspect of the procurement, performance, operations, milestones tracking, and monitoring & evaluation elements shall be openly discussed. Any answers not immediately available shall be made available within a week.
Fourth, citizens who tune in can join the stakeholder group for the Vision. A simple digital enrolment system shall be used to keep things organised.
.
Fifth, every month, a poll shall be taken to take the pulse of the stakeholder group. Only stakeholders who made it to at least one of the townhalls can participate.
At the six month mark, they will be celebrated for the progress made and given feedback to improve.
Naturally, this model, we call RESET at IMANI – Revitalising the Economy through Stewardship & Ethical Transformation – will not replace the formal audits and other PFM controls. Our hope is that it will invigorate them, bring the essence in them to the fore and make them more meaningful to citizens”.
