Apologize to me for claiming I owe electricity bills - Ashanti Regional Minister to ECG staff

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, has called on the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to render an apology to him for claiming he owes electricity bills.

According to him, the officials of ECG have tainted his image by claiming he has been using lights without paying for them.

The Minister said he owes the ECG no money that he is aware of and has consistently paid his bills.

He noted that most of his properties are on prepaid meters, adding that he finds it unacceptable for the ECG to publicly say that he owes them money.

He also called on some media houses that published the story to retract, apologize, or face the consequences.

Ashanti Regional Minister rejects ECG apology demand:

Meanwhile, the Ashanti Regional Minister has rejected calls on him to apologize to the staff of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) for arresting one of its managers.

Mr. Osei-Mensah argued that his decision to report the ECG Ashanti East General Manager, Michael Asomani Wiafe, to the police was on fairgrounds.

His remarks come after members of the Senior and Junior Staff Unions of the ECG in the Ashanti Region demanded an apology from him for arresting their manager.

According to him, officials of the ECG in the region have consistently flouted security protocols, something he said must be addressed once and for all.

Addressing the media during a press conference on Thursday, April 25, 2024, Simon Osei-Mensah said the ECG has on several occasions refused to brief the Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) on areas of their work.

He added that members of REGSEC needed information on the reasons for erratic power supply in the region and other matters that have serious security implications.

He added that the ECG was once again invited to answer questions on why they have consistently disrespected security zones in the region.

"We have informed the ECG where the president and vice president lodge whenever they come here. Kumasi have been declared security zones but surprisingly, they do not treat these places as such".

"These and other issues were the reasons why I invited the EGC boss to write an official statement to the police after they failed to honor REGSEC invitations,"

he said.