Since opening its Sunyani office eight years ago, the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has addressed a surge of consumer complaints over electricity and water services in the Bono and Ahafo Regions. The commission reports it has resolved 7,798 disputes, resulting in billing adjustments of GH¢632,800 in favour of consumers and recoveries of GH¢24.42m for utility providers.
Patrick Nana Yaw Antwi, the PURC’s regional manager for Bono and Ahafo, said more than 90 percent of complaints received have been successfully settled. “We have been carrying out our activities with the main utility providers, which is NEDCo and Ghana Water Limited. Since the inception of the office, we have had about 7,500 plus complaints that came to the office for resolution and I can say that we have resolved about 90 percent of the complaints,” he explained.
One beneficiary of the commission’s intervention is Reverend Father Peter Yaw Oppong‑Kumi, CEO of Pax Garments. He recounted a billing dispute with the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) that had initially amounted to GHS106,000. After a series of meetings facilitated by the PURC, the company agreed to settle the debt at approximately GHS23,000, saving the business a substantial sum. “I must be honest with you, PURC has proven to me that the system can work,” he said.
The commission’s work has eased tensions between consumers and utilities in the region, fostering a more transparent and responsive service environment. The PURC plans to continue its engagement with NEDCo and Ghana Water Limited to prevent future disputes and ensure fair billing practices.
