Adams Timbile Hafiz
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has assured Ghanaians of its commitment to ensure that utility tariffs are within affordable range while service providers stay financial viable.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 2025-2030 Multi-Year Major Tariff Review Public Hearing in Wa, Nana Yaa Jantuah, Commissioner at the PURC, indicated that the Commission will work diligently to ensure affordable, yet fair tariffs for consumers. “We are going to create a very good balance between affordability and financial viability of the utility service providers,” she stated, adding that “we assure you that we will ensure the right thing is done”.
Hon Yaa Jantuah urged Ghanaians to voice their concerns in respect of the proposed tariffs by the utility service providers, noting that the views expressed by citizens will go a long way to ensuring that fair tariffs are charged for water and electricity. “Even if the technical details say something and the people say something else, it can change the dynamics,” she asserted.
She indicated that it was premature to tell the range of tariffs to be charged. “We cannot tell until we hear what the consumers are having in mind,” she said, and, thus, urged the public to participate fully in the process, noting that “a single parameter can change the entire dynamics.”
The Commissioner also disclosed that quality of service and availability of metres have been the focus of citizens during the public hearings. “Over 90% of the responses are about service, especially metres – new service connection, replacement of metres.” In this regard, she underscored the need for more and better metres to ensure that consumers get what they are looking for.
Madam Yaa Jantuah took the opportunity to thank the participants of the forum which was under the auspices of the PURC. The engagement was intended to gauge the views of citizens, particularly in the Upper West and Savannah regions, with respect to the proposed tariff adjustment by utility service providers. It brought together sector players, including the Ghana Water Company Ltd, the Northern Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (NEDCO), and the Ghana Grid Company Ltd (GRIDCo), who took turns to justify the proposed tariff increment.
Citizens were also given the opportunity to ask questions as well as contribute to the proposed tariffs from the service providers.
