The Public Services Workers’ Union (PSWU), operating through its local union at the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), has mounted a strong opposition to the proposed merger between the PURC and the Energy Commission, describing the move as premature, poorly consulted, and potentially damaging to Ghana’s regulatory framework in the energy and utilities sector.
The proposed merger will not be in the public interest because of its potential for political interference, as was the case before the PURC was established in 1997 by the Parliament Act 538 to carry out its mandate independently.
The content of the proposed merger bill doesn’t have the input of the PURC staff, and all efforts to get the minister for energy and green transition have been unsuccessful.
In a statement released to the public, the PURC local union of PSWU expressed profound dissatisfaction over reports that a bill seeking to merge the two institutions is being prepared for tabling before Parliament for discussion and possible approval.
According to the union, the development, which is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, has not been subjected to adequate stakeholder engagement, particularly with workers and key regulatory actors who would be directly affected by such a significant restructuring.
The PURC local union emphasised that the Commission plays a distinct and constitutionally significant role in Ghana’s governance architecture, particularly in regulating utility tariffs and ensuring fairness between service providers and consumers.
“The PURC local union of PSWU vehemently opposes the PURC–Energy Commission merger bill being tabled for parliamentary discussion,” the statement declared.
Union leaders argue that merging the two bodies could compromise the independence and efficiency of the PURC, whose mandate includes protecting consumer interests, monitoring utility service delivery, and ensuring transparent tariff-setting processes.
They warned that any attempt to collapse regulatory institutions without thorough review could undermine public confidence in the sector.
The union has therefore called on the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition to halt the process temporarily and embark on broader consultations with stakeholders, including organised labour, utility consumers, civil society, and technical experts.
“The union expresses profound dissatisfaction with this development and calls for further engagement,” the statement stressed.
PSWU believes that such a far-reaching policy decision must not be rushed through Parliament without ensuring that the concerns of workers, regulators, and the Ghanaian public are properly addressed.
Beyond regulatory concerns, the union also hinted at possible implications for staff welfare, job security, and institutional continuity should the merger proceed without clarity.
Labour analysts note that mergers of public institutions often come with restructuring challenges, including staff redeployment, redundancy risks, and operational disruptions.
The PSWU local union therefore urged government to prioritise transparency and inclusiveness in decision-making, especially on reforms that affect public sector workers and essential national institutions.
The PURC remains one of Ghana’s key agencies responsible for ensuring that utility services such as electricity and water remain accessible, affordable, and efficiently regulated.
Observers believe any restructuring involving the Commission must be carefully evaluated against the national interest, given the sensitive nature of tariff regulation and the increasing public demand for accountability in the utilities sector.
The PSWU local union concluded its statement with a firm stance, indicating that it will continue to advocate for the protection of the PURC’s mandate and the welfare of its members.
As the proposed merger bill prepares to enter parliamentary space, the coming weeks are expected to witness heightened debate over the future structure of Ghana’s energy regulation regime.
For now, the union’s message is clear: dialogue must come before legislation.
