The Executive Secretary Public Utilities Regulation Commission (PURC), Dr Shafic Suleman paid working visits to the Upper West Regional offices of the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), and the Ghana Water Limited (GWL). The visit, which took place on March 13 2025, was aimed at enhancing stakeholder collaborations and to bring the Commission's services closer to the consuming public in general and the Utility Service Providers in particular.

Dr Suleman, in his opening remarks, explained that the familiarization tour was to meet with consumers and utility service providers. “There is a need for the regulator to periodically meet with the utilities in the regions, to foster good working relations and to understand challenges faced by the regulated utilities in the various regions, while undertaking their daily operational activities to ensure the provision of quality services”.

Dr. Suleman raised challenges encountered during the courtesy calls on the Regional Minister, the Wa Naa and the deliberations with the PURC Regional Office team, for NEDCo’s attention and swift resolution.

• Securing a dedicated transformer for the Wa Teaching Hospital.
• Challenges on the Wa-Hamile - Burkina Faso line
• Meter unavailability concerns.
• Intermittent power outages without prior notice.

Dr Suleman acknowledged the GWL team for their hard work so far, which is evident in their high key performance indicators (KPIs) and the quality of service they deliver to consumers as compared to other regions. He cautioned GWL to pay critical attention to their high service connection charges which hinder the inclusivity of the indigenes.

Dr. Suleman proposed a mediation between GWL and Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) on their boundaries for serving customers. “The entire water sector needs a regulatory framework that will outline each stakeholder’s mandate. PURC and other Stakeholders are working on a legislative framework.”

Ing. Francis Yormesor the Area Manager for NEDCo - Wa Office, thanked the PURC team for prioritizing Wa as the first place to visit. According to Ing. Francis, the customer population for Wa is currently 147,000, with 55% of them using pre-paid meters, and 70% as lifeline customers. On the issue of the dedicated line to the Wa hospital, interventions are being undertaken to address it. He indicated that, there is a collaboration between the Ministry of Energy, Regional Minister, the Hospital and NEDCo.

Ing. Yormesor further clarified that meter availability has never been an issue under their jurisdiction, however separate meters are not issued, especially to households with very low consumption units, as it poses negative economic implications for NEDCo. Consequently, for those who require new meter connections but cannot afford the initial cost of connection, they are considered for the SECO project which serves customers at the Self-Help Electricity Project (SHEP) rate.

Mr. Michael Tawiah Klutse, the Regional Chief Manager for GWL indicated that, Upper West has performed well in terms of quality of service, non-revenue water, and have excess capacity, to serve more customers. He further explained that, owing to the low-income status of the Upper West Region, his team secured a sponsorship with UNICEF and other donor agencies to provide about 7,000 new connections to the indigenes at very low concessionary rates. He indicated that an approval of a 20km pipeline has been granted to extend GWL’s services beyond its current borders.

Mr. Kluste pleaded with PURC to collaborate with GWL in educating customers on their responsibility as consumers, with regards to paying for the services provided them. The area manager further indicated that a mediation is needed between GWL and Community Water and Sanitation Agency, to settle and clarify each utility’s mandate.

The Executive Secretary of PURC was accompanied by Alhaji Jabaru Abukari, Director for Regional Operations and Consumer Services; Dr. Eric Kofi Obutey, Director for Research and Corporate Affairs; Mr. Edmond Kweku Tuffour, Deputy Director, Regional Operations and Consumer Services responsible for the Northern Zone; Dr. Robert Tia Abdulai Aziz. Head of Corporate Affairs; Reginald Osei Asibey, Finsnce Officer and Ms. Fauzia Tanko, the Secretary to the Executive Secretary.

The Upper West Regional team of PURC, comprising Mr. Ali Abdul Wadud, Regional Manager; Amin Bashiru Nuhu, Regional Public Relations and External Affairs Officer; Bilal Alhassan Pelpuo, Complaints Officer; Mrs. Zenabu Gyamfi, Administrative Officer; and Mr. Yussif Belko Mumuni, Transport Officer were all present to assist in the success of the Executive Secretary’s tour of the region.