Report by Daniel Donkor
The Bono Regional Office of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has escalated its monitoring of industries and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across the Bono and Ahafo Regions, in a decisive effort to ensure businesses receive reliable electricity service and are billed accurately under the appropriate tariff regime.
The targeted exercise, carried out under the Commission’s regulatory mandate, involved extensive field inspections of factories, small-scale industries, and enterprise hubs, aimed at assessing service quality and strengthening regulatory compliance within Ghana’s productive sectors.
“We visit industries and SMEs to ascertain the quality of power and service they are receiving,” Bono Regional PURC Manager, Patrick Antwi, stated. “We engage them directly, understand their challenges, and critically examine the tariff categories they are placed on to ensure fairness and compliance.”
According to the Commission, the initiative goes beyond routine inspection, representing a strategic intervention to bolster industrial productivity and economic resilience. Officials underscored that accurate tariff classification and dependable power supply remain critical to business growth, job creation, and national development.
“Industries operate under specific tariff brackets, and it is crucial that each entity is billed correctly,” Mr. Antwi explained. “If businesses are paying their bills diligently, they equally deserve a quality of service that supports their operations.”
Findings from the monitoring exercise revealed significant knowledge gaps among several SMEs regarding electricity tariff structures, raising concerns about possible misclassification and overbilling.
Many businesses reported limited understanding of how tariffs are determined, while others raised concerns over inconsistent power supply, voltage fluctuations, and unplanned outages. Complaints about customer service delivery by utility providers also featured prominently.
Mr. Antwi indicated that the Commission has formally communicated these concerns to the relevant utility companies, urging swift corrective action.
“Whenever we receive such feedback, we escalate it to the utilities. In many cases, they respond by addressing the lapses and improving their service delivery,” he assured.
A key concern identified during the exercise was the growing tendency of some businesses to undertake unauthorized repairs on utility infrastructure, including meters and transformers.
While acknowledging that many SMEs rely on in-house electricians for internal electrical issues, the Commission cautioned strongly against tampering with installations owned by utility providers.
“Internal wiring within a facility is the responsibility of the business,” Mr. Antwi emphasized. “However, meters, transformers, and related infrastructure belong to the utilities and must not be tampered with. Such actions often exacerbate problems and can lead to serious consequences.”
Looking ahead, PURC is advocating for enhanced collaboration between industries and utility providers, particularly the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) and the Volta River Authority (VRA).
Mr. Antwi stressed that proactive communication remains essential in addressing service challenges effectively. He urged businesses to promptly report outages, low voltage, and other power disruptions instead of assuming utilities are already aware.
“We do not operate a fully automated fault detection system in all cases, especially for localized issues. If consumers do not report faults, the utilities may not know,” he explained.
At the same time, the Commission called on utility providers to adopt a more customer-focused approach, especially toward industrial clients who significantly contribute to revenue generation.
“These industries pay substantial bills. It is only reasonable that utilities prioritize their needs by engaging them regularly and addressing their concerns promptly,” he added.
PURC maintains that effective service delivery requires a shared commitment between consumers and utility providers. Strengthening this relationship, the Commission believes, will create a mutually beneficial environment where industries thrive, utilities secure timely payments, and the broader economy prospers.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to sustained monitoring and stakeholder engagement to uphold service standards and safeguard consumer interests across the Bono and Ahafo Regions.
