Confusion at GRIDCo as stakeholders petition Energy Minister over alleged governance breaches

The management of the national electricity transmission utility company has come under serious scrutiny after a group of concerned citizens and power-sector stakeholders submitted a petition to the Minister of Energy alleging governance breaches at the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo). The petition, filed this week, has raised questions about the structure and transparency of the company’s decision-making processes.

At the core of the concerns is the reported participation of the company’s Director of Legal in board meetings and other high-level Board engagements. Stakeholders claim that the appointment of a new Board Secretary, already publicly recognized, should preclude management executives from occupying board positions. They argue that the involvement of the Director of Legal in board activities violates long-standing corporate governance principles designed to ensure separation between executive management and oversight bodies.

For decades the corporate governance framework in state-owned enterprises in Ghana has respected the principle that executives directly involved in operational management should not serve on supervising Boards. Petitioners say the recent development at GRIDCo undermines transparency, risks conflicts of interest, and threatens accountability within the power utility.

The petition calls on the Energy Minister to clarify the company’s governance structure, provide justification for the Director of Legal’s inclusion in Board meetings, and re-establish clear boundaries between management and board oversight. The group warns that failure to address the issue may erode public trust and hamper efforts to ensure stability in Ghana’s electricity sector.

Energy sector analysts say the concerns are grave, especially for a company entrusted with national power transmission responsibilities. They note that blurred governance lines can lead to unchecked decision-making, reduced institutional integrity, and operational inefficiencies. Given the challenges facing Ghana’s power supply and infrastructure demands, many believe that proper governance at GRIDCo is critical for long-term sector health.

Calls for accountability have been echoed by civil society organisations and power sector reform advocates. Many are urging the Ministry of Energy to act swiftly to restore governance norms, ensure regular oversight and protect public interest. For now GRIDCo’s governance structure remains under question, and the company’s ability to reassure stakeholders will likely shape confidence in future energy policies.