The lights go off at 9pm, and the first question in the house is not whether there is a power cut but whether anyone bought credit. With prepaid meters now common in Accra, many households manage electricity like phone airtime. Knowing how the system works can prevent nights in the dark and arguments between tenants.
How prepaid meters work
A prepaid meter lets you pay for electricity before you use it. You buy credit, load it onto the meter, and the meter deducts units as you use power. When credit runs out, the supply stops. ECG has used different meter types over the years, including card-based meters and newer smart meters that can be topped up remotely. Older card meters require visiting a vending point.
Buying credit and tariffs
Credit can be bought at ECG offices, vending points and, for many meters, through mobile money and the ECG Power App. Keep your meter number handy, and check you have entered it correctly before paying.
Meters display remaining credit. Check them regularly to avoid sudden disconnection, especially before weekends and holidays. Electricity tariffs are set by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission and change periodically. Different rates apply to residential and commercial customers, and lifeline rates exist for very low users.
Shared meters, faults and fraud
In compound houses, several households may share one meter, which often causes disputes about who used more power. Separate meters or sub-meters can help. Problems include credit not loading, meter errors and sudden fast depletion. Contact ECG’s customer service with your meter number and receipts. If you suspect a faulty meter, report it. Do not tamper with it; illegal connections and tampering carry penalties.
Buy credit only from authorised channels. Be cautious of people offering cheap credit or meter “repairs” for cash.
Saving power, outages and moving house
Switch off unused appliances, use energy-saving bulbs and avoid running air conditioners for long hours to make credit last longer. A power cut is different from running out of credit. Check your meter display, and ask neighbours, to tell the difference. When you move into a new rental, check the meter balance and ask whether the previous tenant left any debt. Some meters carry arrears that are deducted from new purchases.
Prepaid meters put electricity spending in the household’s hands. Used carefully, they can help families plan their budgets instead of facing surprise bills.
