The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), as part of its planned and sustained efforts to educate the general public on its operational activities and Tariff Education, engaged staff and students of St. John Bosco College of Education in Navrongo on Tuesday, October 24, 2023.

Dr. Ishmeal Ackah, Executive Secretary of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) explained that the theme for 2023, dubbed “Year of Operational Efficiency”, is focused on Engagement, Education, and Enforcement in the operational activities of the Commission and its stakeholders.

Dr. Ackah gave an overview of the Commission took participants through the PURC’s Tariff-Setting Process, which he said consists of two windows, that is the Major Tariff Review (MTR) and the Quarterly Tariff Review (QTR).  He also explained how power and water supplies are produced, transported, and distributed and the need for the regulator to make sure there is an efficient and robust system in place to handle inefficiencies from service providers.

The Chairman of the occasion, Rev. FR. Vitus Arnaa, Headmaster of Notre Dame Seminary SHS, noted that, “today's event will go a long way in strengthening the bonds between the PURC, our Utility Service providers, members of the St John Bosco Community and Navrongo at large for a better service delivery and responsible use of water and electricity within our homes, communities, municipality and the nation at large”.

Mr. Mamudu Daniel, Ag. Vice Principal of St. John Bosco Training College of Education noted that, education is the cornerstone of progress and development in any society, and such events as organised by the Commission, play a pivotal role in fostering knowledge, dialogue, awareness, and collaboration between PURC and the general public. He emphasized that this reflects the shared commitment of both institutions, whose mandate it is to educate and to make positive differences in the lives of members within a community.

According to Mr. Daniel, the PURC's Commitment to fostering transparency and accountability in the utility sector is highly commendable, and “we are proud to be part of this endeavour”. He indicated that, the forum was  not just an event, but a platform for education, collaboration, and learning. He encouraged both  institutions to work hand in hand to “explore innovative solutions, address challenges, and contribute to the enhancement of public utilities for the benefit of all”.

Mr. Edmund Kwaku Tuffour, Principal Manager, Consumer Services and Monitoring of PURC, took staff and students of the College, through the PURC Tariff Reckoner and the PURC Electricity Consumption Estimator (PECE) App, emphasizing the need for consumers to monitor their consumptions. He demonstrated to participants, how they can monitor and calculate their consumption rates by using these apps.

The team from PURC comprised, Dr. Ishmael Ackah, the Executive Secretary; Alhaji Jabaru Abukari, Director, Regional Operations and Consumer Services; Dr. Eric Obutey, Director, Research and Corporate Affairs; Mr. Edmund Kwaku Tuffour, Principal Manager, Consumer Services and Monitoring; Mr Robert Tia Abdulai Aziz, Head of Corporate Affairs; PURC Upper East Regional Manager, Mr. Seth Kponyo; Upper East Regional Public Relations Officer of PURC, Mohammed Adam Suleiman; Head of Executive Secretary’s Secretariat, Ms. Maame Esi Eshun; and Mr. Bryan Adaare, I.T. officer at the Head Office of PURC.