Group displeased with govt inaction on petition over unresolved ECG disputes at Krobo

Correspondence from the Eastern Region

The United Krobo Foundation has criticised what it describes as government's apparent apathy in acting on its petition to President John Dramani Mahama over the operations of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) in Kroboland, warning that continued silence could trigger further action from the group and residents.

Dated March 13, 2026, the appeal outlines longstanding grievances including alleged overbilling, poor service delivery and what the group describes as persistent mistreatment of Krobo consumers in Yilo and Lower Manya Krobo.

The petition, addressed to the President of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, is endorsed by the leadership of the United Krobo Foundation and Nene Olepeme Sakinor I, Matse of Suisi Okwenya/Suisi Adadli Kworsi, Kodionya together with Rev. John Tetteh Appertey (Chairman), Maxwell Jones Tetteh (Secretary), and Teye Kwao Kasimu (PRO).

Also copied were the Energy Minister, Eastern Regional Minister, MCEs for Lower Manya and Yilo Krobo, MPs for Lower Manya and Yilo Krobo, the Inspector General of Police, Regional and local Police Commanders, the Chief of Staff, the Speaker of Parliament, and the National Security Minister for urgent action.

Key Demands

Amid the perceived delay, the Foundation has reiterated its core demands, urging urgent intervention to avert escalating tensions.

Foremost among these is a call for the Volta River Authority (VRA) to take over electricity supply in Kroboland. The group argues that the presence of major hydroelectric facilities on their land, coupled with what it claims is a lack of compensation to affected communities, justifies the demand.

The petition also calls for compensation for victims of the 2019 shooting incident, which reportedly resulted in deaths and injuries during clashes linked to the dispute. In addition, the Foundation is demanding the immediate withdrawal of ECG from Kroboland, alleging that the company continues to operate in ways that cause hardship to residents.

It further seeks a review and implementation of recommendations from the Kofi Afewu Committee report, which it claims validated the majority of concerns raised by the Krobo people.

On billing, the group is demanding transparency and accountability, particularly regarding a disputed GH¢168 million debt attributed to Krobo consumers. It has challenged ECG to provide verifiable, individual customer account records to substantiate the claim.

The Foundation also accuses ECG of breaching regulations set by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), including alleged overcharging and failure to correct billing anomalies identified during earlier investigations.

Secretary Raises Concern Over Silence

In an interview, the Foundation’s Secretary, Maxwell Jones Tetteh, expressed concern over the lack of official response to the petition, describing it as a setback to resolving the long-standing dispute.

“We followed due process by petitioning the President, but up to now, there has been no response. The people are becoming restless because these issues have lingered for far too long,” he said.

Tetteh noted that concerns over billing irregularities date back several years, insisting that residents had remained committed to paying for electricity despite detecting discrepancies.

“We have always paid for power. What we are against is exploitation and injustice,” he added.

Warning Of Further Action

The Foundation has warned that continued inaction could compel residents to take further steps to press home their demands.

Tetteh emphasised that while the people of Kroboland remain peace-loving, they are determined to defend their rights if authorities fail to intervene.

“We will not sit unconcerned while our rights are trampled upon. If nothing is done, the people will decide the next line of action,” he cautioned.

Background

The dispute between the ECG and communities in Kroboland has persisted for years, largely centred on disagreements over billing systems, the transition to prepaid meters and enforcement measures.

Tensions peaked in 2019 during a confrontation linked to meter installations, which resulted in casualties and deepened mistrust between residents and the power distributor.

Despite previous investigations and engagements, including findings by the PURC, the matter remains unresolved.

The United Krobo Foundation insists that swift government intervention is critical to restoring calm and ensuring a sustainable and transparent electricity supply system in the area.