NEDCo seizes more than 300 meters over illegal connections

The Northern Electricity Distribution Company has seized more than 300 electricity meters in a sweeping anti-power theft operation conducted in Tamale, targeting residents accused of illegally bypassing their meters.

The two-day dawn operation took place between 05:30 and 06:30 in the Kalpohin and Kukuo communities, where officials say widespread illegal connections and meter tampering were discovered.

Speaking to JoyNews, NEDCo’s Corporate Communications Manager, Maxwell Kotoka, described the scale of the infractions as significant, noting that more than 300 individuals were found to be engaging in various forms of electricity theft.

“What we have done in just two days, to go at the break of day between 5:30 and 6:30, and so far we have done only two communities. We have found more than 300 who are culpable, who have engaged in bypass, meter power theft,” he said.

According to earlier disclosures by NEDCo, the company is currently losing about 46% of its electricity due to theft, a level of non-technical loss that poses a serious threat to its financial sustainability. The problem is particularly acute in the Tamale Metropolis, where illegal connections and tampering have significantly reduced revenue collection.

Mr. Kotoka further explained that many of the seized smart meters were damaged during the illegal bypassing process, compounding the financial burden on the utility company.

“The sad part is that in the process they have damaged a good deal of these meters and the meters are pretty expensive. They are smart meters, and so when you destroy them like this, we the consumers are the very same people who will come and complain that when we ask for meters we don’t get,” he said.

He warned that the destruction of meters is directly affecting NEDCo’s ability to serve new customers, as replacement costs are now diverting resources that would otherwise be used to expand access.

“Now look at the challenge we have. When we invest in meters and in two days, two communities can destroy in excess of 300 - when we bring the next set of meters we are compelled to replace the damaged meters instead of spreading them and making them available to new applicants,” he added.

Mr. Kotoka also linked the situation to broader investments in power infrastructure across northern Ghana. He revealed that seven new transformers have recently been installed in the Tamale Metropolis as part of efforts to improve electricity distribution. Additional installations have been carried out in Kpandai, Kete Krachi, and Bimbilla.

He noted that a total of 11 transformers were replaced during the rollout phase—seven in Tamale, two in Kpandai, and one each in Kete Krachi and Bimbilla.

Mr. Kotoka stressed that electricity theft undermines government and institutional investments in infrastructure and has long-term consequences for service delivery.

“If the government invests in these and people steal power instead of paying, then it has consequences at the end,” he said.

He confirmed that individuals found culpable in the operation will face legal action as NEDCo intensifies efforts to curb power theft and protect the integrity of the national electricity distribution system.