By Daniel Donkor
After nearly five years of crippling low voltage and unreliable electricity, residents of Asuakwa in the Sunyani West Municipality of the Bono Region are finally experiencing stable and consistent power supply, following a decisive intervention by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).
The breakthrough, delivered in collaboration with the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), has seen the upgrade of the area’s low-voltage (LV) network and the installation of a 50 MVA transformer, effectively resolving a long-standing energy crisis that had stifled livelihoods and economic activity.
A crisis that choked daily life
For years, Asuakwa residents lived with electricity that was too weak to power even the most basic appliances. Small businesses collapsed, perishable goods went to waste, and households were forced to endure discomfort and uncertainty.
The Assembly Member for the Asuakwa Electoral Area, Jude Kulafaa, whose formal petition triggered the intervention, described the situation as unbearable.
“For five years, people could not run businesses. You couldn’t even sell ice water. Fridges wouldn’t work, fans couldn’t blow, and even ironing clothes became impossible. The entire community was suffering,” he said.
Despite repeated complaints to power distributors, the problem persisted, deepening economic hardship and frustration among residents.
Petition sparks regulatory action
The turning point came after sustained appeals to PURC, including formal petitions submitted in 2025 and 2026.
Acting on the urgency of the situation, the Commission’s Bono Regional Office moved swiftly to coordinate an upgrade of the electricity infrastructure.
The Bono Regional Manager of PURC, Patrick Antwi, said the intervention was aimed at correcting voltage instability and preventing further damage to electrical appliances. He added that the Commission has already outlined plans to scale up the transformer capacity from 50 MVA to 100 MVA by 2027 to meet growing demand in the area.
Relief, recovery and renewed opportunity
For the people of Asuakwa, the restored power supply represents more than just improved electricity; it marks the end of years of stagnation and the beginning of economic recovery.
Businesses that once ground to a halt are expected to rebound, while households can now enjoy basic conveniences that were long denied.
Residents have welcomed the intervention with relief and gratitude, praising PURC for its responsiveness and commitment to improving utility service delivery.
Restoring confidence in governance
The successful resolution of the crisis has also strengthened public confidence in regulatory institutions. Community leaders say the intervention reflects PURC’s dedication to fairness, transparency and accountability in Ghana’s utilities sector.
With the new transformer operational and power stability restored, Asuakwa is entering a new phase, one defined by reliability, opportunity and renewed trust in governance.
For a community once dimmed by years of inadequate power, the lights are not just back on — they are signalling a brighter future.
