By Daniel Donkor
The Executive Secretary of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), Dr Shafic Suleman, has reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to improving water and electricity services in the Bono region.
Dr Suleman gave the assurance during a working visit to the region on Tuesday, August 19, 2025. The visit aimed to engage PURC regional staff, interact with utility service providers on their operations and challenges, and inspect Commission-led pro-poor water projects.
In a meeting with staff, Dr Suleman commended their dedication and urged them to sustain efforts in safeguarding consumer interests. Staff also briefed him on their operations, achievements, and challenges in the region.
The Executive Secretary later visited the Bono regional offices of Ghana Water Limited (GWL) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), where he assured the two institutions of PURC’s continued collaboration and support.
“Our mandate is to protect the interests of consumers while ensuring the financial sustainability of utility providers. We will work closely with Ghana Water and NEDCo to address challenges and enhance service delivery, but I also urge you to intensify customer education and communication,” Dr Suleman said.
At Ghana Water Limited, Sunyani Water Quality Manager Ms Janet Atebiya highlighted the success of the company’s paperless billing system and ongoing projects such as the Wenchi Water Project. She, however, stressed the urgent need for a water expansion project in Sunyani municipality to meet growing demand.
She also raised concerns about the intrusion of private borehole operators into GWL’s operational areas, describing it as a major threat to the company’s sustainability.
At NEDCo, Sunyani Human Resource Manager Mr. Peter Ayamba, speaking on behalf of the Regional Chief Manager, outlined interventions to improve customer satisfaction. These include revamping the Sunyani Customer Care Centre, extending operational hours to 10 p.m., establishing zonal offices in Chiraa, Nsoatre, and Berekum, and implementing infrastructure upgrades such as a new 34.5kV feeder in Sunyani and Mim, alongside capacity upgrades to existing feeders in Sunyani and Berekum.
Mr Ayamba, however, noted that 51 percent of NEDCo’s customers fall within the lifeline tariff bracket, which negatively impacts revenue. He also cited financial losses caused by the influx of illegal and substandard meters in the system.
Dr Suleman concluded his visit with an inspection of a PURC pro-poor water project at Kato, a community in the Berekum East district, reinforcing the Commission’s determination to ensure equitable access to safe and affordable water for underserved communities.
He was accompanied by senior management of the Commission, including Ing Emmanuel Fiati (Director, Water Services and Performance Monitoring); Alhaji Jabaru Abukari (Director, Regional Operations & Consumer Services); Ing Frederick Oblitey (Director, Energy Services and Performance Monitoring); Dr Eric Obutey (Director, Research & Corporate Affairs); Mr Stephen Bryan; Mr Charles Joseph Wellington Biney; Mr Reginald Osei Assibey; Mr Godfred Ennin; and Ms Fauzia Tanko.
