The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has flipped the power switch at Ghana's Cape Coast Sports Stadium, due to the facility's electricity debt of $183,263 owed to the electricity company.

Pulse reported that this act was done as part of the company's revenue recovery initiative, which aims to recoup bills owed by state institutions.

ECG disconnection frenzy

In addition the utility disconnected the Cape Coast Polytechnic, for a total outstanding amount of  $259,081, media reported.

The Ministries Block in Cape Coast was next to be disconnected should they fail to make payment by Thursday, who owe a total of $21,201.

Pulse reported that the Divisional Secretary of the Senior Staff Union of the ECG, Sampson Martey, who led  the disconnection team said it was necessary to undertake the exercise in order to retrieve all monies owed ECG by institutions.

“Our inability to retrieve these debts in the past has given us a bad name. And now, ECG will likely be privatised. We need to take steps to get these institutions to pay their debts. ECG, as I speak is cash-strapped, and needs the money for efficient operation."

Cracking down

Last week the utility commenced disconnecting consumers nationwide who have failed to pay their electricity bills.

News Ghana reported at the time that the total debt owed to ECG amounts to GHC1.6 billion ($509 million) with government currently owing the electricity company $242 million.

Private consumers are indebted by a total of $166 million to the state power distributor.

In earlier news, director of the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA), Mawuli Rockson, announced the decision to franchise the power company.

This move to recoup debts, coupled with privatisation of the company, is necessary to ensure its commercial viability.