The Executive Secretary (ES) of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), Dr Shafic Suleman, paid a working visit to the Bono Region on August 19, 2025.

The visit was aimed at engaging the Commission’s regional staff and interacting with utility service providers on their operations and challenges in the region. It also included the inspection of PURC-led pro-poor water projects.

Dr Suleman commended the regional staff for their dedication and encouraged them to sustain their efforts. The staff briefed him and his team on their operations, highlighting key achievements and challenges.

As part of the visit, the ES toured the Bono Regional offices of Ghana Water Limited (GWL) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), where both entities presented updates on their operations.

Ghana Water Limited (GWL)
Madam Janet Atebiya, Water Quality Manager of GWL Sunyani, highlighted the successful rollout of the paperless bill delivery system and other measures implemented to meet rising customer demand, including the Wenchi Water Project.

She, however, cited the urgent need for a water expansion project in Sunyani and expressed concern over the intrusion of private borehole operators into GWL’s operational areas.

Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo)

Presenting on behalf of the Regional Chief Manager, Mr Peter Ayamba, Human Resource Manager of NEDCo Sunyani, outlined interventions aimed at improving customer satisfaction. These include:

• Revamp of the Sunyani Customer Care Centre
• Extension of operational hours to 10 p.m.
• Establishment of additional zonal offices at Chiraa, Nsoatre, and Berekum
• Construction of a new 34.5kV feeder in Sunyani and Mim
• Upgrade of existing feeders in Sunyani and Berekum

Mr. Ayamba noted that 51% of NEDCo’s customers fall within the lifeline bracket, negatively affecting revenue generation. He also raised concerns about financial losses caused by illegal and substandard meters infiltrating the system.

Assurance from PURC

Dr Suleman assured both GWL and NEDCo of the Commission’s commitment to supporting them in resolving their challenges and improving service delivery to consumers in the Bono Region. He urged them to intensify customer education and communication while reaffirming PURC’s continuous collaboration with utility providers.

The visit concluded with an inspection of a PURC pro-poor water project site at Kato, in the Berekum East District.

Dr Suleman was accompanied by senior management of the Commission, including:

• Ing. Emmanuel Fiati, Director of Water Services & Performance Monitoring
• Alhaji Jabaru Abukari, Director of Regional Operations & Consumer Services
• Ing. Frederick Oblitey, Director of Energy Services & Performance Monitoring
• Dr. Eric Obutey, Director of Research & Corporate Affairs
• Mr. Stephen Bryan
• Mr. Charles Joseph Wellington Biney
• Mr. Reginald Osei Assibey
• Mr. Godfred Ennin
• Ms. Fauzia Tanko