The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), in its efforts to build and maintain good relationships with its stakeholders, engages traders on their rights, the complaints procedure, and service standards.

The Commission has extended its Market Connect outreach programme to traders and consumers at Nyinahin Market, bringing regulatory services directly to the public on market days.  The initiative is a community-based engagement that takes PURC’s services closer to consumers across the Ashanti Region, particularly those who may face time, distance, or cost barriers in accessing the Regional Office.

Educating Consumers on PURC’s Mandate
The market women were sensitized on the Commission’s mandate under the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission Act, 1997 (Act 538). This includes:  Approving rates chargeable for the provision of utility services; Monitoring and enforcing standards of performance for utility service providers; Protecting the interests of both consumers and utility providers; and Receiving, investigating, and settling complaints relating to utility services.  Traders and consumers were also briefed on the types of complaints they can lodge with the Commission for redress. These include wrongful disconnection, overbilling, failure to reflect payments, unsafe service delivery, poor quality of supply, and delays by utility providers in addressing consumer concerns.

Why Market Engagement Matters
The Ashanti Region is a major commercial hub where markets drive economic activity. Thousands of traders, artisans, and small-scale enterprises rely on electricity and water for daily operations.  Speaking on the exercise, PURC explained that engaging consumers at market centres is critical and that bringing the Commission Services closer to them is essential.

Consumer Awareness:
The market connect initiative is to equip the public with knowledge of their rights, responsibilities, and avenues for redress.  Strengthens Consumer Protection: Prevents disputes through early education and curbs exploitation by service providers, and raises consumer awareness.

Builds Public Confidence:
The Commission demonstrated its commitment to resolving utility-related challenges through direct interaction.  As part of the exercise, Commission officers distributed contact leaflets bearing details of the Ashanti Regional Office to enable consumers to seek assistance on future electricity and water service challenges.

Commitment to Quality Service Delivery
The Commission reiterated its commitment to ensuring that consumers receive quality, safe, and reliable utility services in line with its mandate under Act 538.  The Market Connect programme will continue in other markets across the Ashanti Region in the coming weeks.