Gov’t Inaugurates Steering Committee to Boost Private Participation in Power Distribution

The Government of Ghana has inaugurated an eight-member Steering Committee to lead the implementation of the Multiple Lease Model (MLM), a strategic framework aimed at reforming the country’s power distribution sector through greater private sector participation.

Under the MLM, electricity distribution will be divided into regional units to be managed by private operators. The initiative is expected to attract investment, enhance operational efficiency, and improve service delivery nationwide.

Chaired by the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor, and co-chaired by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the committee comprises top officials from the Ministries of Trade, Justice, and Government Communications, along with the acting Managing Directors of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo).

At the inauguration in Accra, Deputy Minister for Energy, Hon. Richard Gyan Mensah, described the MLM as “central to our energy sector recovery agenda,” noting that it introduces a more competitive and accountable structure into electricity distribution.

The committee has been tasked with auditing existing contracts, overseeing procurement processes, reviewing legal agreements, and ensuring full compliance with regulatory standards. Officials indicate that the first batch of competitive bidding documents for private concessionaires is expected by September 2025.

Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor highlighted that the initiative is not only about structural reform but also about restoring public confidence in power delivery. He noted that “building a reliable power system that meets both domestic and industrial demand requires transparency, expertise, and innovation.”

To support the work of the Steering Committee, three sub-committees have been established—Technical, Governance & Regulatory, and Stakeholder Management. Chair of the Technical Sub-Committee, Mr. Jabesh Amissah-Arthur, reaffirmed the team’s dedication, stating that they are “committed to guiding this process to deliver lasting improvements in electricity distribution for Ghanaians.” The inauguration signals a major step in Ghana’s efforts to restructure the energy sector and promote a sustainable partnership between the state and private investors.