Bawumia Reveals Sabotage of Ghana’s Electricity Revenue Digitalization Efforts

Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia exposed deliberate sabotage within the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), obstructing the government’s ambitious agenda to modernize revenue collection methods. Speaking at the Annual AGM of Anti-corruption Agencies in Africa, Dr. Bawumia disclosed that individuals within the ECG’s IT department introduced ransomware into the system, causing disruptions and impeding the digitalization progress.

The digitalization initiative, a cornerstone of the Akufo-Addo administration’s agenda, aimed to revolutionize and streamline revenue collection processes. However, the malicious act of introducing ransomware led to system failures, posing significant challenges to the endeavor.

Dr. Bawumia expressed frustration over the deliberate hindrance, emphasizing that the ransomware attack was intended to extort money from the government. The perpetrators demanded payment to restore system functionality, a demand deemed unacceptable by the Vice President.

Following the intervention of national security, the culprits behind the sabotage were identified and apprehended. The system was eventually restored, allowing the digitalization process to resume. As a result, cash payments for electricity in Ghana were phased out, replaced by mobile money and electronic bank transfers.

The Vice President underscored the success of the digitalization efforts, highlighting a substantial increase in revenue collections from over GHC450 million to exceeding a billion cedis monthly. This achievement signifies the positive impact of digitalization on revenue efficiency and transparency within Ghana’s electricity sector.

Dr. Bawumia expressed incredulity at the audacity of the perpetrators, who attempted to thwart progress for personal gain. Despite the setback caused by the ransomware attack, the government’s commitment to modernizing Ghana’s electricity revenue collection remained unwavering.

In conclusion, the Vice President reiterated the government’s determination to combat corruption and ensure the continued success of digitalization initiatives across various sectors. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced in the pursuit of modernization and transparency, yet it also highlights the resilience and resolve of Ghana’s leadership to overcome such obstacles.