PURC secures GH¢108,000 wrongful billing for consumers in Bono, Ahafo
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has secured refunds totaling GH¢108,507.87 for electricity consumers in the Bono and Ahafo regions following investigations into wrongful billing by utility providers during the first half of 2026.
The Commission also resolved nearly 90 per cent of consumer complaints received between January and June, while implementing interventions that significantly improved electricity supply across several communities.
Addressing the media in Sunyani, the Bono Regional Public Relations Officer of PURC, Ms Julia Antwi, said the Commission’s activities during the six-month period had produced “impactful and measurable results” in service delivery and consumer protection.
Unstable power supply
She said one of the major challenges identified at the beginning of the year was unstable electricity supply in the Sunyani Municipality, caused by a faulty transformer belonging to the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo).
According to her, sustained engagements with key stakeholders led to the installation of a new transformer, restoring stable electricity supply to the municipality.
Ms Antwi added that additional transformers installed in collaboration with the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) had improved voltage levels in several communities, resolving persistent low-voltage complaints and enhancing the quality of electricity supply.
She noted that similar interventions were undertaken in other parts of the region, including Kyeremasu in the Wamfie area, where residents now enjoy stable power following the installation of a dedicated transformer.
Listening tour
Beyond infrastructure improvements, the Commission intensified consumer engagement through its “Listening Tour and Complaint Clinic,” an outreach initiative that establishes mobile complaint centres in rural communities to enable residents to report service-related concerns for prompt action.
“We engage consumers at their doorstep, document their concerns and escalate them to the utility providers for immediate action,” Ms Antwi said.
The Commission also expanded its public education campaigns through community radio programmes and its weekly Yɛnka Sa with PURC broadcast, focusing on consumer rights, tariff education and utility service delivery.
As part of efforts to improve transparency and consumer awareness, PURC introduced an Electricity Consumption Estimator App and embarked on sensitisation campaigns across the Bono and Ahafo regions to encourage its use.
The application enables consumers to estimate their electricity and water bills more accurately, particularly following tariff adjustments, with ongoing education targeting institutions, churches and corporate organisations.
Complaints resolution
On complaint resolution, Ms Antwi disclosed that the Commission handled 577 complaints during the review period and resolved 89.43 per cent of them.
She said investigations into billing inaccuracies resulted in refunds amounting to GH¢108,507.87 for affected consumers.
“These were cases of billing inaccuracies. We ensured corrections were made and the affected consumers were duly refunded,” she said.
The Commission also facilitated the recovery of GH¢9,077.75 for utility providers from customers who defaulted on payments or engaged in illegal electricity connections.
Ms Antwi reaffirmed PURC’s commitment to promoting accountability within the utility sector while protecting the interests of consumers.
“Our focus remains on delivering quality service, enhancing transparency and ensuring a balanced relationship between consumers and utility providers,” she said.
She added that the Commission would continue its phased consumer outreach programme across the Bono and Ahafo regions to ensure every community is reached before the end of the year.