Electric demand far outstrips supply in Ghana, and it is hoped that the prepayment meters will help to alleviate the problem by making customers aware of the amount of power they are using, and when they use it. The meters also improve revenue collection, which allows ECG to increase the amount it invests in upgrading and improving its infrastructure.
Customers have, however, voiced complaints about the number of vending stations that have been set up to sell credit for the meters, saying there are too few and that they have to spend too much time in line, waiting to buy credit. As a result the ECG has embarked on a sensitization program to explain the benefits of the meters and encourage their acceptance.