The Chairperson of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) Public Hearing Committee, Nana Yaa Jantuah, has stressed that utility providers must ensure reliable and
quality services to consumers who diligently pay their bills.
Speaking at a regional public hearing in Wa last Thursday, she described it as unacceptable
for consumers to pay for services they do not receive.
“Once people pay their bills, they must enjoy uninterrupted and quality service.
Public utilities must be affordable and available. Consumers’ needs will be carefully
considered in our final decision,” she said.
Nana Yaa Jantuah noted that the Commission, in reviewing tariffs, will prioritise affordability and accessibility, acknowledging that many Ghanaians resort to alternative
energy sources such as generators and kerosene lamps due to unreliable supply.
Turning her attention to the national fight against illegal mining (galamsey), she
commended President John Dramani Mahama’s renewed commitment to tackling
the menace, contrasting it with what she described as a lack of urgency under the previous
administration. “The fight against galamsey requires the involvement of every Ghanaian since we cannot leave it to government alone,” she said.
Several Assembly Members who attended the forum expressed frustration about corruption and inefficiency within the utility sector, particularly in the process of acquiring electricity meters. “Many consumers apply for meters, fillnout forms, and wait endlessly, yet private
individuals manage to sell meters for between GH¢1,000 and GH¢2,000. This corruption
is destroying public trust and service quality,” one Assembly Member lamented.
Traditional rulers and opinion leaders echoed similar concerns about frequent power outages, erratic water supply, and weak accountability among utility
providers. They called on the government to intensify the fight against corruption and improve public service delivery to restore confidence.
The Upper West Regional Minister, Charles Lwanga Puozuing Esq, commended the PURC for upholding transparency and inclusivity in national decision-making through such regional hearings.
He praised the Volta River Authority (VRA), GRIDCo, NEDCo and GWCL for their willingness to subject their proposals to public scrutiny. “The role of citizens in this process cannot be overstated. We must demand accountability and value for money, but we must also be willing to pay realistic tariffs that reflect the true cost of sustainable service provision.”
The Minister also urged residents to report illegal connections, conserve water and electricity and support community initiatives that promote responsible consumption.
“Our attitude toward the use of public utilities reflects our national discipline and civic maturity,” he added. He further disclosed that the government was reviewing the framework for private sector participation in the utilities sector to ensure it aligns with the public interest and national development priorities.
The engagement in Wa formed part of PURC’s nationwide stakeholder consultations proposed electricity and water tariff adjustments while addressing consumer complaints
and challenges with service delivery.
It brought together representatives of the Northern Electricity Distribution Company NEDCo), Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) and the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), alongside Assembly Members, Traditional Rulers, politicians, religious leaders, business owners and residents.
