This year, the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) fielded 4,519 complaints against the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Ghana Water Limited (GWL) in the Eastern Region. These grievances spanned a spectrum of issues, including intermittent power outages, overbilling, delays in obtaining new services, and meter-related concerns. Impressively, the PURC resolved 99.

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53% of these complaints amicably, with only seven outstanding cases.As a result of the PURC's intervention, GWL successfully recovered outstanding debts of GHS 420,340.64 from six customers, while ECG reclaimed GHS 184,120.00 from three customers. Additionally, billing adjustments in favor of consumers amounted to GHS 657,742.13 for 16 GWL customers and GHS 35,039.31 for six ECG customers.

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Jude Aduamuah-Addo, the Eastern Regional Director of the PURC, shared these outcomes during an end-of-year celebration organized by the Commission in Koforidua. He emphasized the PURC's commitment to stakeholder engagement, having conducted 99 public interactions, reaching approximately 22,000 people at schools, religious gatherings, and community durbars across the region.

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Aduamuah-Addo underscored the need for a balanced approach, protecting both consumer rights and utility providers' interests. He acknowledged the operational challenges faced by ECG and GWL, such as tampering with high-rated equipment.Looking ahead to 2024, the PURC envisions a year of "Strategic Impact" to build upon the gains of 2023. A call was made for the public to escalate complaints to the PURC for swift and amicable resolution.

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ECG Eastern Region General Manager, Mrs. Sariel Adobea Etwire, expressed the utility's appreciation for the cooperative working relationship with the PURC, describing it as highly beneficial to their operational activities.Mr.

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Asomani Nyarko, GWL Eastern Regional Chief Manager, urged prompt bill payments to avoid service disconnection, noting an increased reconnection fee from GHS 4 to GHS 50 and consideration of an additional GHS 50 to discourage bill accumulation.

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