IMF endorses ECG privatisation

Read Article

Comments (36)

This article is closed for comments.

Read Comments Comments (36)

Kaba 5 months ago

This is good news because at the moment we are just paying for the inefficiencies of ECG. ECG workers are busily doing illegal connections.

This is good news because at the moment we are just paying for the inefficiencies of ECG. ECG workers are busily doing illegal connections.
JESUS IS GOD 5 months ago

Jesus Christ loves you and wants to save you from sin and its consequences. He died on the cross for your sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. Believe in Him, accept His gift of forgiveness, and receive eternal ...
read full comment

Jesus Christ loves you and wants to save you from sin and its consequences. He died on the cross for your sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. Believe in Him, accept His gift of forgiveness, and receive eternal life! (John 3:16)Btg
DEAD GOAT MAHALIAR IS BACK 5 months ago

State capture has started under the conman Mahama. Stealing Ghana’s assets for himself and his brother. Ghana is doomed under NDC.

State capture has started under the conman Mahama. Stealing Ghana’s assets for himself and his brother. Ghana is doomed under NDC.
ST Ghfuo: KWAME NKRUMAH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 5 months ago

Nothing will ever work under government ownership. Corruption, no efficiency and laziness. Infact, all public entities should go private

Nothing will ever work under government ownership. Corruption, no efficiency and laziness. Infact, all public entities should go private
JD 5 months ago

@kaba are you serious? Are you ok? Is it not the same NDC party of yours that used that privatization to campaign against NPP? Do you see how evil and deceitful the likes of you and that NDC party is?

@kaba are you serious? Are you ok? Is it not the same NDC party of yours that used that privatization to campaign against NPP? Do you see how evil and deceitful the likes of you and that NDC party is?
Mr. Smith 5 months ago

What is the energy minister and the board chairman and members doing? Just meet and drink tea!

What is the energy minister and the board chairman and members doing? Just meet and drink tea!
ST Ghfuo: KWAME NKRUMAH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 5 months ago

Okujeto gbey mouf this is what you were referring to as sovereign nation?

Okujeto gbey mouf this is what you were referring to as sovereign nation?
Moses 5 months ago

Bad moves.

Bad moves.
BREAKING NEWS!!! 5 months ago

THIS WILL BE VERY BAAAAAAADDDDDD!!!!!!!

THIS WILL BE VERY BAAAAAAADDDDDD!!!!!!!
Blue Pen 5 months ago

Why not? The IMF would even want us to even privatize Akosombo Dam and our very Government of Ghana to American companies. All our crude oil and gold, etc have always been in the hands of foreigners. Let's stop following eco ...
read full comment

Why not? The IMF would even want us to even privatize Akosombo Dam and our very Government of Ghana to American companies. All our crude oil and gold, etc have always been in the hands of foreigners. Let's stop following economic models designed by the West for us in order to keep us weak and dependent and easily exploitable. Of course, we also must check corruption and political interference, which destroy state owned enterprises.

MARY MAVIS GYAMFIWAA 5 months ago

From GIHOC, GNTC, NSAWAM CANNERY, ETC. THESE STATE ASSETS WERE ALL SOLD AND BOUGH NDC BIGWIGS. THEY WERE SOLD AT PITTANCE TO THEMSELVES. NANA KONADU EVEN GOT THE NSAWAM CANNERY. NOW IT IS ECG. WHO BUYS IT?

From GIHOC, GNTC, NSAWAM CANNERY, ETC. THESE STATE ASSETS WERE ALL SOLD AND BOUGH NDC BIGWIGS. THEY WERE SOLD AT PITTANCE TO THEMSELVES. NANA KONADU EVEN GOT THE NSAWAM CANNERY. NOW IT IS ECG. WHO BUYS IT?
ST Ghfuo: KWAME NKRUMAH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 5 months ago

Gh leaders are fools..all these industries should have been privatized and handed over to credible managers, foreigners to manage. Npp comes to steal from these industries. Ndc comes to sell or buy these industries. Same fool ...
read full comment

Gh leaders are fools..all these industries should have been privatized and handed over to credible managers, foreigners to manage. Npp comes to steal from these industries. Ndc comes to sell or buy these industries. Same fools will buy and mismanage them. Soon, the industries will all collapse..public private partnerships is a 2 way street and the other shareholders will ensure that corruption is erased. But no, these politicians are ruining the country and the so called chiefs have all been paid to keep quiet.
Albert Albert 5 months ago

Bad news fir Ghana. The roads should be privatised first.

Leave ecg alone.

Bad news fir Ghana. The roads should be privatised first.

Leave ecg alone.
Kay 5 months ago

Bad news. Make Ghana work for Ghanians. Give that to Ibrahim Mahama or Despite instead.

Bad news. Make Ghana work for Ghanians. Give that to Ibrahim Mahama or Despite instead.
Man to man 5 months ago

Kuffuor sold Ghana Telekom, now Mahama is selling Electricity Company of Ghana
What a country !

Kuffuor sold Ghana Telekom, now Mahama is selling Electricity Company of Ghana
What a country !
Unknown 5 months ago

Why is a soreign country been. Dictated to

Why is a soreign country been. Dictated to
Pouv: Can the blackman run his own affairs? 5 months ago

The blackman needs the IMFs permission to think, from an organisation carrying out its imperialist agenda, does not even have any success to boast of, by any nation that has followed its ( IMF) advice.
Lambs to the slaughter ...
read full comment

The blackman needs the IMFs permission to think, from an organisation carrying out its imperialist agenda, does not even have any success to boast of, by any nation that has followed its ( IMF) advice.
Lambs to the slaughter.
WHY SELL, SELL, AND SELL OUR SOEs? WE MUST BE WARY OF THE IMF 5 months ago

Private Sector Participation is not a TABOO! But we don't have to sell our State Owned Enterprises like the Ghana Telecom and now the Electricity Company of Ghana in order to liberalize their Operations.

We should create ...
read full comment

Private Sector Participation is not a TABOO! But we don't have to sell our State Owned Enterprises like the Ghana Telecom and now the Electricity Company of Ghana in order to liberalize their Operations.

We should create the necessary conditions for the Private Sector to break new grounds and not move in to capture State Enterprises. If the government of the day can not promote the growth and profitability of State Enterprises, that is not good.

I find it very hard to wrap my mind around this! This is not the only best way LEGACY DEBT can be addressed in order to make these sectors financially sustainable. We don't necessarily have to sell these companies if we are looking at attracting the much needed investments and technical expertise to address legacy debts.

Of course, any Company can end up with negative net margin in the presence of even positive gross margins primarily due to high operating expenses, interest payments on debt, tax liabilities, depreciation and amortization, one-time or unusual expenses, inefficient operations, and suboptimal pricing strategies. These expenses, when combined, can exceed the gross profit generated from sales, resulting in a net loss.

In our case, What was the major source of financial risk on the companies Income Statements identified by the IMF in their July 2025 country report on the fourth review of Ghana's $3billion 3 year- ECF?

What is the Gross Margin, Net Margin and the Debt Ratio of our SOEs?

What was the Gross Margin, Net Margin and the Debt Ratio of Ghana Telecom which prompted its sale?

What is the Gross Margin, Net Margin and the Debt Ratio of the Electricity Company of Ghana which is prompting this recommendation by the IMF?

"WHAT CAN NOT BE DONE TO TURN THEM AROUND?"

When the PNDC embraced privatization in the 80s after illegally removing the Limann administration, suspending the constitution, dissolving parliament and placing a ban on all political party activities and running the country without an APPROVED National Development Plan/Agenda, they never published any data about The gross margins, which represents the amount of revenue retained by our SOEs after the direct costs of producing their goods and services have been subtracted, neither did they publish any data on their Profit/loss as a percentage of revenue for action plans to turn them around.

Talking about Growth and Profitability, The people that are going to buy the SOEs, how are they going to make them PROFITABLE? Why can't we implement those actions to turn them around and make them profitable? Why don't they break new grounds and have their own start ups?

DOES OUR SOEs HAVE POSITIVE GROSS MARGINS? IF NOT WHY? IF THEY HAVE, HOW DO THEY END UP WITH NEGATIVE NET MARGINS? HOW DO WE TURN THEM AROUND?

Gross margin represents the profitability of a company's core business operations, specifically the difference between total revenue and the cost of goods sold (COGS). Net margin, on the other hand, reflects the overall profitability of a company after considering all expenses, including COGS, operating expenses, interest, and taxes.

A company's gross margin provides a snapshot of its efficiency in producing goods or services. A positive gross margin indicates that a company is selling its products or services for more than the direct costs of producing them. However, a positive gross margin doesn't guarantee overall profitability. Net margin provides a more comprehensive view of a company's financial health because it accounts for all expenses.

WHY DOES OUR SOE's HAVE NEGATIVE NET MARGINS DESPITE POSITIVE GROSS MARGINS?

Several factors can lead to a negative net margin even when a company has a positive gross margin:

1. HIGH OPERATING EXPENSES: Operating expenses are the costs incurred in running a business, excluding COGS. These include:
Selling, General, and Administrative (SG&A) Expenses: These cover a wide range of costs, including SALARIES OF THE TOP ECHOLEON, salaries, marketing, rent, utilities, and administrative costs. If these expenses are too high relative to revenue, they can erode the gross profit, leading to a negative net margin WHICH LED TO THE COLLAPSE OF GHANA AIRWAYS.

Research and Development (R&D): Companies that invest heavily in R&D may have high operating expenses, especially in the technology or pharmaceutical industries.

INTEREST EXPENSE: If a company has significant debt, the interest payments on that debt can be substantial. These interest expenses are subtracted from gross profit to arrive at net income, potentially pushing the net margin into negative territory.

TAX LIABILITIES: Taxes are another expense that reduces net income. High tax rates or unexpected tax liabilities can contribute to a negative net margin.

DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION: These are non-cash expenses that reflect the decline in value of assets over time. While they don't involve an immediate cash outflow, they reduce net income and can contribute to a negative net margin.

ONE-TIME OR UNUSUAL EXPENSES: Unexpected costs, such as legal settlements, asset write-downs, or restructuring charges, can significantly impact net income and lead to a negative net margin, even if the core business is profitable.

INEFFICIENT OPERATIONS: Poor cost management, including overspending on marketing, EXCESSIVE SALARIES BENEFITS OF TOP ECHOLEON, or inefficient production processes, can drive up operating expenses and negatively affect the net margin.

PRICING STRATEGIES: While a company may have a positive gross margin, if its pricing strategy is not optimized to cover all expenses, including operating costs, the net margin can be negative.

REVENUE DECLINES: A decline in revenue can lead to a negative gross profit margin when a company experiences a drop in sales.

In essence, a company can have a positive gross margin (making money on each sale) but still lose money overall (negative net margin) if its operating expenses, interest payments, taxes, or other expenses are too high to be offset by the gross profit.

PROBLEM BASED TURNAROUND STRATEGIES WITHOUT SELLING THE SOE'S

Turnaround Strategies

Turning around OUR SOE's with negative net margins requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the underlying causes of the losses. Here are some potential strategies:

COST REDUCTION:

REDUCE OPERATING EXPENSES: Identify and eliminate unnecessary expenses. This might involve streamlining operations, reducing headcount, renegotiating contracts with suppliers, or improving energy efficiency.

IMPROVE EFFICIENCY: Implement process improvements to reduce waste and increase productivity. This could involve adopting new technologies, automating tasks, or optimizing supply chain management.

MANAGE INTEREST EXPENSES: Refinance high-interest debt, negotiate better terms with lenders, or reduce debt levels.

REVENUE ENHANCEMENT:

INCREASE SALES VOLUME: Implement strategies to increase sales volume, such as expanding into new markets, launching new products or services, or improving marketing and sales efforts.

IMPROVE PRICING NOT NECESSARILY INCREASING PRICES: Evaluate pricing strategies to ensure that products or services are priced competitively while still generating sufficient gross profit.

ENHANCE CUSTOMER RETENTION: Focus on improving customer satisfaction and loyalty to reduce customer churn and increase repeat business.

OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENT:

OPTIMIZE PRODUCTION: Improve production efficiency to reduce COGS and increase gross margin.

IMPROVE SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT: Negotiate better terms with suppliers, optimize inventory management, and streamline the supply chain to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

INVEST IN TECHNOLOGY: Implement new technologies to automate tasks, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.

FINANCIAL RESTRUCTURING:

RAISE CAPITAL: Secure additional funding through debt or equity financing to improve the company's financial position.
Restructure Debt: Negotiate with lenders to restructure debt payments or obtain more favorable terms.

STRATEGIES ADJUSTMENTS:

FOCUS ON CORE COMPETENCIES: Concentrate on the company's core strengths and divest ONLY non-core assets or business units.

EXPLORE NEW MARKETS: Expand into new markets or segments to increase revenue and diversify the company's customer base.

DEVELOP NEW PRODUCTS OR SERVICES: Innovate and develop new products or services to meet changing customer needs and generate new revenue streams.
MONITOR AND CONTROL:

IMPLEMENT STRONG FINANCIAL CONTROLS: Establish robust financial controls to monitor expenses, track performance, and identify areas for improvement.

REGULAR PERFORMANCE REVIEWS: Conduct regular performance reviews to assess progress, identify challenges, and make necessary adjustments to the turnaround plan.
Hannan 5 months ago

;))) A lot of hot girls waiting for you ~>> Sexy24.mom

;))) A lot of hot girls waiting for you ~>> Sexy24.mom
Tsotsoo 5 months ago

It should not be entirely private. ECG, GRIDCO, VRA and TOR should be public, private, partnership. This is because of the huge financial outlay needed to run these institutions. The government alone cannot handle it. Privat ...
read full comment

It should not be entirely private. ECG, GRIDCO, VRA and TOR should be public, private, partnership. This is because of the huge financial outlay needed to run these institutions. The government alone cannot handle it. Private participation will also minimize government's interferences. TOR for i stance needs an overhaul because of prolonged shut down but government cannot afford the huge financial burden. Thank you.

WHY SELL, SELL, AND SELL OUR SOEs? WE MUST BE WARY OF THE IMF 5 months ago

Why can't the government handle these companies? Can they run the whole nation?

Why can't the government handle these companies? Can they run the whole nation?
Ogyaooo ogya 5 months ago

This imf thing is not helping Ghanaians but rather piling more and more haaaardship on average Ghanaians. If govt is incapable of managing ecg due to illegal connection involve on the part of workers, then, let privatize pres ...
read full comment

This imf thing is not helping Ghanaians but rather piling more and more haaaardship on average Ghanaians. If govt is incapable of managing ecg due to illegal connection involve on the part of workers, then, let privatize presidency too forgovt appointees too do illegal connection that result in the state incurring maximum dept. That stupid program is mainly aimed to rub all our resources and render us slaves in our own land. What a foolish leader we have appointed?
Kwame 5 months ago

Your foreign minister and the President badmouth the US government, but IMF endorses our country's energy privatization, wow..... And these same people go gaga.....

Your foreign minister and the President badmouth the US government, but IMF endorses our country's energy privatization, wow..... And these same people go gaga.....
Maguy 5 months ago

IMF true meaning is International Mother Fuckers!

IMF true meaning is International Mother Fuckers!
Nii Amarteifio 5 months ago

This is one major reason why those who mismanaged the place and caused financial loss to the state must be arrested and punished. Our liberal system is a fuel for corruption.

This is one major reason why those who mismanaged the place and caused financial loss to the state must be arrested and punished. Our liberal system is a fuel for corruption.
Kwame Ofori 5 months ago

A poor country like Ghana should not consider such an option. Most people in the country are live well below the poverty line. If the state does not subsidise utilities how will they pay their bills. The government in the la ...
read full comment

A poor country like Ghana should not consider such an option. Most people in the country are live well below the poverty line. If the state does not subsidise utilities how will they pay their bills. The government in the last 30 years have not fulfilled 80% of its promises to create jobs, industries and an environment that will eliminate poverty in the country. They have lined their pockets and that of their friends and family to the detriment of the people of the country. How will the masses survive such a privatisation? . Is this fair to the masses??
Kofi 5 months ago

Good news as government has shown that they can’t run it properly. Let the private sector and preferably foreigners come and bring the needed capital and expertise to run it.

Good news as government has shown that they can’t run it properly. Let the private sector and preferably foreigners come and bring the needed capital and expertise to run it.
WHY SELL, SELL, AND SELL OUR SOEs? WE MUST BE WARY OF THE IMF 5 months ago

Why can't the government run our SOE's? If they can't run our SOE's, can they run the country? The people, in private sector and preferably foreigners we are inviting to come and bring the needed capital and expertise to run ...
read full comment

Why can't the government run our SOE's? If they can't run our SOE's, can they run the country? The people, in private sector and preferably foreigners we are inviting to come and bring the needed capital and expertise to run the ECG, how are they going to make it PROFITABLE? Why can't we implement those actions to turn it around and make it profitable? Why don't these private sector folks and FOREIGNERS break new grounds and have their own start ups?
WHY SELL, SELL, AND SELL OUR SOEs? WE MUST BE WARY OF THE IMF 5 months ago

We need just three: Debt Ratios, Gross Margins and Net Margins to begin with efforts to find out why our SOE’s are not doing well and come up with problem based solutions specific to each SOE.

We need just three: Debt Ratios, Gross Margins and Net Margins to begin with efforts to find out why our SOE’s are not doing well and come up with problem based solutions specific to each SOE.
ArthurMills 5 months ago

Until when will political leaders of African sit down and allow these Bretton Woods institutions to prescribe how to manage their countries and economies? Its really sad!!

But that is the world; if you don't learn how to ...
read full comment

Until when will political leaders of African sit down and allow these Bretton Woods institutions to prescribe how to manage their countries and economies? Its really sad!!

But that is the world; if you don't learn how to use your brains to think and make decisions, someone will make decisions for you.

William HK Sorkpor -- Boston, USA 5 months ago

A BAD IDEA! LET THERE BE LIGHT IN GHANA: EVERYBODY MUST HAVE LIGHT! PRIVATIZATION OF LIGHTNING UP POOR HOUSEHOLDS IN GHANA IS DIRTY CAPITALISM. IT IGNORES SOCIETAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF CAPITALISM. PRIVATE SECTOR
ECONOMICS IS ...
read full comment

A BAD IDEA! LET THERE BE LIGHT IN GHANA: EVERYBODY MUST HAVE LIGHT! PRIVATIZATION OF LIGHTNING UP POOR HOUSEHOLDS IN GHANA IS DIRTY CAPITALISM. IT IGNORES SOCIETAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF CAPITALISM. PRIVATE SECTOR
ECONOMICS IS NOT ALL THAT THERE IS TO CAPITALISM: IT IS NOT EVERY ASPECT OF EQUITABLE REDISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH; AND GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES THAT FLY IN THE FACE OF CAPITALISM. MORE SO, IN A COUNTRY LIKE GHANA WHERE THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS GOING THROUGH THE ROOF. THE IMF CANNOT BE TRUSTED TO HAVE THE BEST INTEREST OF THE POOR IN GHANA AT HEART. IT WOULD SUPPORT POLICIES THAT ENSURE THE GOVERNMENT DOES
NOT GO BEGGING IT FOR A HAND-OUT -- REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE POLICIES ARE DETRIMENTAL TO THE POOR.
IT IS THEREFORE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF GOVERNMENT NOT TO ADOPT POLICIES THAT WILL BETRAY THE POOR JUST TO MEET THE GOALS OF IMF. NOBODY IN GHANA WILL BE CONDEMNED INTO A PERMANENT UNDERCLASS.
GOVERNMENT MUST TAKE NOTE.
MAY LORD ALMIGHTY CONTINUE TO BLESS OUR BELOVED GREAT GHANA: AMEN!!!
ST Ghfuo: KWAME NKRUMAH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 5 months ago

Blame the previous govt. They used state industries as collateral for loans and didn't use the loans for their intended purposes they shared it amongst themselves. So now, gh has defaulted on the loans and the loanee has to ...
read full comment

Blame the previous govt. They used state industries as collateral for loans and didn't use the loans for their intended purposes they shared it amongst themselves. So now, gh has defaulted on the loans and the loanee has to resort to horrendous measures to get their money back..today ita electricity. Tomorrow it will be water. Soon, free education will be cancelled and import duties will increase..blame.ypir useless foolish and selfish leaders
Stop that IMF. 5 months ago

That is bas advice coming from people wbo don't have anything good for the us, Africans.

We shouldn't.

That is bas advice coming from people wbo don't have anything good for the us, Africans.

We shouldn't.
Mahama must be mindful. 5 months ago

IMF is an evil financial institution, don't buy to these endorsement. Keep it.

IMF is an evil financial institution, don't buy to these endorsement. Keep it.
Visita 5 months ago

Stop running to the IMF for loans and they will stop telling you what to do. '"A begger has no choice "Yes,the Akosombo Dam will be the next in line for privatisation if the mismanagement continues

Stop running to the IMF for loans and they will stop telling you what to do. '"A begger has no choice "Yes,the Akosombo Dam will be the next in line for privatisation if the mismanagement continues
Boye/California 5 months ago

Don't wait for this Suckers to be telling you what to do move away from IMF and World Bank this Suckers can Suck your blood until you can't you breakdown keep Away from them like Ibrahim Toure kicked Away from them bastards

Don't wait for this Suckers to be telling you what to do move away from IMF and World Bank this Suckers can Suck your blood until you can't you breakdown keep Away from them like Ibrahim Toure kicked Away from them bastards

36 Comments

Welcome,

SIGN IN

Welcome,

RESET PASSWORD

Hello,

Terms and conditions

REGISTER

IMF endorses ECG privatisation

Read Comments .st0{display:none;fill:#14BDD3;} .st1{display:none;} .st2{display:inline;fill:#FC0F0F;} .st3{display:inline;fill:#FFFFFF;} .st4{display:inline;fill:none;stroke:#000000;stroke-width:6;stroke-miterlimit:10;} Comments (36)

Read Comments Comments (36)