Residents of Bolgatanga, the capital of Ghana’s Upper East Region, gathered this week for a significant public consultation as the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) held its Multi-Year Tariff Review Public Hearing.
The event, which drew a cross-section of stakeholders including utility providers, civil society organizations, and traditional leaders, sought to deliberate on proposed adjustments in electricity and water tariffs for the 2026–2030 period.
The Bolgatanga hearing was part of an ongoing national engagement by the PURC to solicit public views, foster transparency, and offer utility providers the chance to justify requests for upward tariff adjustments. For many residents, it represented a rare opportunity to voice their concerns directly to both regulators and service providers, with the hope that their feedback would shape the future of utility services in the region and across the country.
Addressing participants, the chairperson of the PURC stakeholder committee, Nana Yaa Jantuah, underscored the delicate balance the commission must strike. “For us at the PURC, we have to strike that difficult balance, ensuring the financial viability of utility service providers while at the same time guaranteeing that you, our consumers, get the right kind of service,” she remarked. “We are highly committed to ensuring that after you have paid your bill, you get the quality of service you deserve.”
Mrs. Jantuah did not shy away from sharing her own challenges with utility delivery in the Upper East Region. Citing her personal experience with erratic electricity, she revealed, “Where I stayed, the lights went off intermittently nine times , that is woefully unacceptable. You cannot ask consumers to pay tariffs when you are not fulfilling your side of the bargain. When I pay my bill, I expect reliable service.”
She highlighted the importance of mutual accountability between utility providers and consumers. “If this is happening in one hotel, then God only knows what ordinary consumers are going through. As NEDCo presents its figures to us today, we also expect an assurance of quality service.”
Her message to the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) and the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) was unequivocal: “The PURC will not hesitate to sanction you if you are not doing the right thing. The consumer makes your work possible, if they don’t pay, you cannot function.”
At the same time, she called on consumers to fulfill their obligations by paying bills promptly, reminding them that reliable service depends on sustainable revenue streams for providers. “While it is your right to receive adequate and reliable power, it is also your responsibility to pay your bills,” she added.
The public hearing created a lively forum for dialogue between residents and utility companies. Community members took turns voicing their grievances, with many highlighting issues such as frequent power outages, low water pressure, and delayed maintenance. Some questioned whether proposed tariff increases would be matched by noticeable improvements in service standards.
Representatives from NEDCo and GWCL took the opportunity to explain the challenges they face, including rising operational costs, aging infrastructure, and the need for investment to expand and maintain networks. They argued that reasonable tariff adjustments are critical for sustaining operations and meeting the growing demand for electricity and water.
Civil society organizations present at the hearing emphasized the need for greater transparency and accountability in the tariff-setting process. They called for clear communication on how new tariffs would be used to enhance service delivery and protect vulnerable populations from disproportionate price hikes.
The Bolgatanga hearing is just one stop in a nationwide consultation being conducted by the PURC ahead of its final determination on utility tariffs for the 2026–2030 regulatory period. The commission has pledged to carefully consider all submissions before making decisions that will affect millions of Ghanaians.
Mrs. Jantuah reassured attendees that the PURC remains committed to protecting the interests of both consumers and service providers. “We are not here to rubber-stamp any proposal,” she said. “We want to ensure that whatever decision we take is fair, transparent, and in the best interest of all stakeholders.”
As the country awaits the conclusion of the hearings and the announcement of new tariffs, the hope among Bolgatanga residents is that the process will result in more reliable, accountable, and fairly priced utility services. Many expressed optimism that their voices had been heard and would influence the PURC’s final decision.
The commission is expected to wrap up its nationwide hearings in the coming weeks, with a final announcement on utility tariffs set for later this year.
For Bolgatanga and the wider Upper East Region, the outcome will be watched closely as communities continue to call for not just affordable rates but also a tangible improvement in the delivery of essential utilities.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
