The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) in the Ashanti Region has made significant strides in addressing consumer grievances and ensuring financial accountability in the utility sector during the first quarter of 2025.
According to the Commission, a total of 422 complaints were lodged against the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Ghana Water Limited between January and March. Out of these, 377 complaints have been successfully resolved, while 45 remain under investigation.
A breakdown of the complaints revealed that ECG accounted for 397 of the reported cases, while Ghana Water Limited had 25 complaints filed against its services.
Financial Recoveries and Refunds
The PURC also played a crucial role in financial recoveries, retrieving GH¢108,371 for utility companies from customers who had defaulted on bill payments.
Richard Asiedu, the Ashanti Regional Public Relations Officer (PRO) of PURC, explained, “through our intervention, we ensured that utility companies received payments owed to them, helping to sustain their operations.”
On the consumer side, the commission facilitated refunds totaling GH¢52,129 to customers who were overbilled by service providers.
Call for Increased Engagement
Mr. Asiedu emphasized PURC’s commitment to its 2025 agenda of “Responsible Regulations for Strategic Positioning,” urging consumers to report any grievances against utility providers.
He also encouraged utility companies to report cases of non-payment to the commission for resolution under L.I. 2413, which empowers PURC to assist in retrieving outstanding payments.
“Our doors are always open to both consumers and utility providers. We encourage all stakeholders to engage with us to ensure fair and efficient service delivery,” he stated.
The PURC remains a key mediator in the utility sector, ensuring that both service providers and consumers operate within a balanced and accountable framework.
