The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), under the astute leadership of Executive Secretary, Dr. Shafic Suleman, who assumed office in January 2025, has rapidly transitioned into a catalyst for national development. His reforms have begun laying the foundation for an accountable utilities sector with far-reaching implications for energy security, revenue mobilization and consumer protection across the country, directly supporting the Resetting Ghana Agenda for resilient, forward-looking public institutions.
Smart Governance & Institutional Strength
Upon assuming office, Dr. Suleman prioritized the optimization of Ghana’s power system and the enhancement of revenue collection, with a particular focus on strengthening the Cash Waterfall Mechanism (CWM). In collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition (MoEGT) and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), the PURC led the establishment of the Single Holding Account (SHA) and championed its digitalization to improve revenue allocation efficiency. The SHA has since ensured timely payments and strict adherence to the CWM framework. Critically, the digital platform now enables PURC to directly monitor ECG’s collections and disbursements, marking a significant advancement in financial transparency within the energy sector. This initiative has boosted liquidity, stabilized sector finances, and addressed the persistent cash flow challenges previously faced by Independent Power Producers (IPPs). The initiative directly supports the national ICT Reset Agenda, promoting innovation in an inclusive digital regulatory space. Notably, a technical committee was promptly formed to draft a cabinet memorandum, signaling a serious intent to reassess the CWM functionality and address wider financial flow concerns within the energy sector.
Additionally, PURC played a central role in resolving foreign exchange discrepancies within the CWM allocations that previously disrupted payments made to Independent Power Producers (IPPs), accruing debts over years for the power sector. Through the PURC, BoG confirmed a dedicated foreign exchange line for the power sector resulting in the resolution of outstanding forex-related issues and ensuring consistency and predictability in subsequent disbursements for IPPs.
Another major part of the digitalization strategy is the second phase of the Commission’s Database Management System (DBMS) project which seeks to harmonize data across electricity, water and gas utilities through a fully automated platform across the regulatory ecosystem. This “System Monitoring and Digitalization Center based on Digital Twin Technology” has garnered significant interest from Development Partners like Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the African Development Bank (AfDB) and others.
Youth Inclusion
In March 2025, PURC launched strategic partnerships with academic institutions including the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA); and other international bodies like the International Growth Centre (IGC) and the African Forum for Utility Regulators (AFUR) in line with producing research, policy dialogue and training programs intended at boosting institutional knowledge, especially in emerging areas like mini-grid tariff setting and consumer affordability models. The Executive Secretary is keenly investing in such intergenerational knowledge transfer, supporting the Youth Development Pillar of the Resetting Agenda by grooming the next generation of regulatory leaders and unlocking youth potential for nation-building.
Investment Confidence through Predictable Frameworks
PURC, in collaboration with the World Bank Group, held a specialized training on standardized Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for energy sector stakeholders. The concerted push for standardized Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) by the PURC directly supports the government’s objective of “reopening Ghana’s bond markets” and attracting private investment by significantly de-risking the energy sector. This creates a more predictable and attractive environment for private capital, thereby reducing the reliance on public funds for critical infrastructure development.
Furthermore, PURC actively engaged with development partners like the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and GIZ on critical areas such as mini-grid regulation and net-metering. Discussions for further action focused on the need for updated Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for mini-grid tariffs and the re-establishment of benchmark studies for which the Commission is working on. Additionally, under Dr. Suleman’s leadership, the PURC has spearheaded the African Forum for Utility Regulator’s (AFUR) special training on mini-grid tariff setting, signifying the Commission’s active efforts in building capacity within the Ghanaian regulatory space, comparable to its peers in African member states.
Operational & Financial Transparency
In the first quarter of 2025, the PURC enhanced consumer protection by resolving an impressive 94.74% of 4,204 complaints against ECG, NEDCo, and GWL. This robust system resulted in significant financial adjustments (over GHS1 million credited), compensation for consumers, and revenue recovery for utilities (over GHS500,000), alongside infrastructure improvements (e.g., 30 poles, 7 transformers replaced).
Subsequently, in May 2025, amid widespread power disturbances nationwide, the Executive Secretary convened an emergency technical meeting with senior representatives from ECG, NEDCo, and GRIDCo to address growing concerns over system instability and outages. This critical shift from reactive complaint handling to proactive problem-solving holds utilities accountable for performance and provides a more predictable operating environment for all businesses. This directly supports the “Improving Business & Investment Environment” pillar of the “Resetting Ghana Agenda.”
In line with the Resetting Ghana Agenda, Dr. Shafic Suleman has taken bold steps to restore financial discipline within Ghana’s utility sector. One of his early and defining achievements has been his strategic leadership in recovering nearly GHS 1 billion in outstanding debts and under-recoveries through the Commission’s Q1 and Q2 2025 tariff review process. The electricity tariffs from Q1 to Q3 allowed for the inclusion of 100% arrears (976million) carried from the previous year. This was a critical move to inject liquidity into the sector.
Also, for the first time, the Commission included a power reserve capacity margin and a 27% cost allocation for alternative liquid fuels into the tariff structure to enhance energy security for Ghanaians. While this is a significant step, it represents only a fraction of the total funding required, as additional support from other revenue sources is essential to fully cover the cost for sustained energy security.
Besides, ahead of the upcoming 2025–2028 Multi‑Year Tariff Order (MYTO), Dr. Shafic Suleman spearheaded PURC’s inaugural investment hearing for utility providers including VRA, GRIDCo, ECG, NEDCo, Ghana Water, Ghana Gas and Enclave Power. During the exercise, he emphasized the importance of transparent, template‑driven proposals and insisted that only projects with clear immediate value would influence tariffs. His insistence on clear funding sources, realistic timelines, and measurable consumer benefits reinforced the Resetting Ghana Agenda’s emphasis on accountability and efficient public service delivery.
Regional Engagements & Pro-Poor Water Initiatives
The Executive Secretary conducted extensive regional working tours across several regions in Ghana, allowing him to monitor field-level regulatory implementation. As an integral part of stakeholder outreach during these tours, the Executive Secretary paid courtesy calls on key local government officials and Chiefs to solicit their support. The regional tours also included direct visits to PURC’s Pro-Poor Water Project areas that provide potable water to tens of thousands. His engagements provided a direct platform for an impact assessment of the projects on vulnerable populations. This directly supports the government’s call for “rebuilding trust in public institutions” at the grassroots level.
Furthermore, the PURC is expanding its regional presence by opening additional offices (e.g., Savannah and Western North) to bring the Commission closer to consumers and service providers. Additionally, a new media program dubbed “Time with PURC” is in the offing to bring utility issues closer to consumers by simplifying complex sector dynamics for public understanding
Strides for Water Sector
The PURC is actively leading collaborations with key stakeholders to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for water and sewage services in Ghana. As part of this, the Executive Secretary has been instrumental in national discussions on water pollution from Galamsey and its direct impact on the operations of water utilities. Notably, the PURC team played a significant part in the resolution of a major complaint affecting the Odaaso Water Treatment Plant. Additionally, in the area of financial sustainability, the Executive Secretary has been central to resolving longstanding debt issues between the ECG and Ghana Water Limited (GWL), culminating in GWL’s agreement to a structured payment roadmap. Again, the Executive Secretary has spearheaded performance audits across several key water treatment sites, including Bonsa, Elubo, Axim, Prestea, Bogoso, Aboso, Sekyere Hemang, Daboase, Baafikrom, and Esaakyire, to ensure improved service delivery and operational efficiency.
The Future
PURC’s active engagement in ensuring energy security and reliability (through emergency meetings with utilities, strategic discussions with IPPs, participation in the National Energy Compact, development of a real-time monitoring platform for all utilities, among others) is a direct and indispensable enabler of the government’s “24-Hour Economy policy”.
Indeed, a stable, sufficient and predictable power supply is the fundamental backbone required for extended business operations, increased industrial productivity and creation of jobs across multiple shifts. This remarkable synergy is not merely a coincidence but the direct result of deliberate, coordinated action and a shared, unwavering commitment to national progress, led by the Executive Secretary of the Commission.
In fact, under the leadership of H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, the country is ushering in a transformative era for the power and water sector, driven by strategic, prudent measures. This symbolizes the beginning of a new, proactive phase where regulatory bodies are not just implementers, but integral pillars of Ghana’s national development agenda.