The Executive Secretary of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), Dr. Shafic Suleman, has paid a two-day working visit to the Volta Region. The visit which took place between August 14 and 15, 2025, was aimed at engaging staff of the Commission and utilityservice providers, to learn about their operations and challenges in the region and to inspectPURC led pro-poor projects in the region.
Dr. Suleman was accompanied by senior management, including Alhaji Jabaru Abukari, Director, Regional Operations & Consumer Services (ROCS); Dr. Eric Obutey (Director, Research & Corporate Affairs; Mr. Jude Aduamoah-Addo (Head, Consumer Service Committees); Mr. Charles Jojo Entsi (Manager, Media Relations), and other officials.
In a meeting with the PURC Staff, the Executive Secretary acknowledged the hard work of the regional staff while encouraging them to work even harder to improve their performance. He emphasised collaboration with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Ghana Water Limited (GWL) toward a proactive regulation.
The Director, ROCS, on his part, encouraged staff to always keep the Commission’s Database Management System (DBMS) updated, given that it is essential to the operations of the Commission and is always monitored at the Head Office. He encouraged staff to be committed while complimenting them for excellent teamwork. Staff expressed gratitude to management for their support.
During discussions with Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Dr. Suleman praised the utility service provider for a 99.6% complaint resolution rate by mid-2025. ECG’s Regional General Manager, Madam Christina Jatoe Kaleo, raised challenges such as billing issues, transformer thefts, bushfires, and difficult terrains of operation. She disclosed that while the region targets GH¢16 million weekly revenue collection, only 65% is realised as a result of predominantly postpaid customers.
Madam Kaleo also noted that 28 communities in Dambai have recently been connected to the national grid. Dr. Suleman assured ECG of PURC’s support in addressing billing challenges linked to the new software and called for stronger public education programmes.
The PURC Executive Secretary in a meeting with the Regional Management of the Ghana Water Limited (GWL), commended the team for a 100% complaint resolution rate.
The Regional Chief Manager, Ing. Johnson, highlighted operational challenges, including supply-demand gaps, ageing pipelines, and high turbidity levels at Agordome and Kpeve water treatment plants as a result of encroachment at the Kpeve water abstraction point.
Dr. Suleman urged swift action on the Tanyigbe water crisis, which has persisted for four years, and proposed a dedicated line for the Sokode/Akrofu project. GWL assured PURC of improved services and future plans to introduce flexible payment options for customers with arrears.
The visit ended with an inspection of four pro-poor water projects in Ho, which are about 96% complete. The contractor assured timely completion for the handover.
Dr. Suleman’s visit reinforced PURC’s commitment to effective regulation, consumer protection, and improved utility services in the Volta Region.
