By Daniel Donkor
The Bono Regional office of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has announced significant achievements in regulatory enforcement, consumer protection, and service delivery between the first and third quarters of 2025, including the recovery of over GHS 1,008,205.48 from customers indebted to the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo).
According to the Commission, the period under review also saw the refund of GHS 109,214.63 to consumers who were wrongfully billed, demonstrating PURC’s commitment to fairness and accountability in Ghana’s utility sector.
In a statement detailing its performance, PURC said the Commission handled and resolved about 99 percent of all consumer complaints received during the period — a total of 1,027 cases. Out of this, 946 were directed at NEDCo, 79 at Ghana Water Limited (GWL), while two were complaints filed against consumers.
“Our focus has been to ensure that consumers receive value for the utility services they pay for, while service providers comply strictly with regulatory standards,” the statement emphasized.
Power Stability and Infrastructure Upgrades
PURC noted that power reliability in the Bono and Ahafo Regions has improved significantly, with NEDCo undertaking eight transformer upgrades, 29 transformer injections, and the replacement of 211 faulty poles as part of its quality improvement interventions.
Through the Self-Help Electrification Programme (SHEP) initiative, the Commission also facilitated the capturing of 2,626 previously unregistered consumer meters into NEDCo’s billing system, ensuring transparency and revenue accountability.
Community-Level Impact: Resolving Longstanding Power Challenges
A series of community interventions have also transformed power delivery in several towns, including the installation of a 100kVA transformer at Prekesease in the Ahafo Region, resolving a two-year low-voltage challenge caused by an overloaded transformer; addressing persistent power interruptions in Dormaa Akwamu through an upgrade of electricity lines following stakeholder engagement; extensive tree trimming and line upgrades at Amasu to improve power reliability; replacement of 10 rotten poles and inclusion of 50 consumers at Atoaso Beposo into NEDCo’s billing system to improve safety and billing accuracy; and replacement of seven decayed poles at Aprakukrom to enhance distribution safety.
Collaboration with District Assemblies
Under the “PURC at Your District Assembly” initiative, the Commission worked with local governments to address utility challenges at the grassroots. Notable outcomes include: replacement of 10 rotten poles at Dormaa Akwamu and Asikasu No.1; resolution of longstanding complaints at Jinijini, where five broken poles were replaced after years of inaction; installation of transformers at Chiraa Estate and Adantia, resolving low-voltage issues that persisted for more than five years; and replacement of four rotten poles at Odumase following direct engagements with the Sunyani West Municipal Assembly.
PURC Nkitahodie: Direct Engagement and Lasting Results
Through its “Nkitahodie” stakeholder engagement forums, the Commission achieved tangible improvements across communities, including: installation of two transformers at Korasu No.1 to solve a decade-long low-voltage crisis that hindered small-scale industries; regularization of over 100 unbilled SHEP meters at Dwomoh, ensuring proper metering and billing; and replacement of 20 deteriorated poles and resolution of 10 overbilling cases.
Public Education and Consumer Empowerment
The PURC has intensified consumer education through innovative outreach and digital campaigns: “Regulatory Bites” — short, informative content on consumer rights and utility regulations under L.I. 2413; “Ma Wa Ni Nda Ho” — a social media campaign empowering consumers to understand utility services and avoid exploitation by unscrupulous agents; and “Utility Green Flags” — a campaign recognizing excellence among service providers while promoting responsible utility practices.
These initiatives, according to the Commission, have enhanced public awareness, improved consumer protection, and elevated the visibility of PURC’s operations across the Bono Region.
Oversight, Monitoring, and Future Plans
As part of its continuous monitoring efforts, the Commission reported that the Duayaw Nkwanta outstation office of NEDCo has seen remarkable improvement, including the construction of a new office building along the Techimantia road — a recommendation that originated from PURC’s 2024 District Office Monitoring Exercise.
Quarterly review meetings and stakeholder engagements have also led to new operational reforms, such as the creation of zonal offices in Chiraa, Odumase, Yamfo, and Nsoatre, which became operational on September 1, 2025, to enhance customer access to services.
“Our interventions are yielding visible results from the field to the consumer end,” the Commission stated. “We remain committed to ensuring that utility service delivery in the Bono Region is reliable, fair, and meets the expectations of every Ghanaian household.”
