By: Austin Agyenim Boateng
After more than a decade of crippling power challenges, the farming community of Kuraso is finally witnessing a major breakthrough. The Bono Regional Office of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), in collaboration with the Volta River Authority (VRA), has installed two new transformers in the community to address persistent low-voltage electricity issues that have hampered economic activities for years.
The intervention forms part of PURC’s ongoing public sensitisation initiative, “PURC Nkitahodie,” which aims to educate consumers and respond to utility challenges across rural communities in the Bono and Ahafo Regions.
For years, residents of Kuraso particularly cold store operators, corn millers, poultry farmers, and other small business owners struggled to keep their businesses running due to poor electricity supply.
Mr. Dickson Oppong, Assemblyman for the Atesikrom Electoral Area in the Dormaa Central Municipality, confirmed the devastating impact the power crisis had on livelihoods.
“The situation forced many businesses to rely on alternative power sources, which significantly increased their operating costs. We reported the issue to the Bono PURC Office, and thankfully, their intervention has brought us some relief,” he told GBC News.
The Dormaa Area Supervising Maintenance Mechanic Officer of the VRA, Mr. Emmanuel Twum Ampofo, explained that the Kuraso community was previously connected to the national grid using single-phase lines under the government’s Self Help Electrification Project (SHEP), which could not support the growing energy demands of the area. This led to persistent low voltage and unreliable power supply.
The new transformers and upgraded power lines are expected to stabilise electricity delivery and support the revival of local businesses.
In an interview with GBC News, the Bono Regional Public Relations Officer of PURC, Ms. Julia Antwi, emphasized the importance of the “PURC Nkitahodie” initiative in bridging the gap between regulators and consumers in rural areas.
“This initiative brings our services closer to communities like Kuraso, allowing us to receive and address their concerns directly. So far, we’ve visited Kuraso, Adansi in Sunyani West, and Jumo in the Ahafo Region,” she said.
Ms. Antwi reiterated PURC’s mandate to ensure customers receive quality service from utility providers, while also working to resolve conflicts between providers and consumers. She further cautioned the public against illegal practices such as power and water theft, warning that offenders would face prosecution.
“Such illegal activities do not only harm the service providers but also affect service quality for everyone,” she stressed.
The intervention in Kuraso marks a significant step forward in addressing energy inequality in rural Ghana, and offers hope for improved livelihoods, economic growth, and sustainable development in the community.
