The Ashanti Regional Office of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has intensified its consumer education campaign by engaging members of the Al Bilal Mosque congregation at Asokore Mampong in Kumasi on their rights and responsibilities regarding electricity and water service delivery.
The engagement, which formed part of the Commission’s ongoing public outreach programme, sought to deepen public understanding of utility regulations and promote effective collaboration between consumers and service providers.
Addressing the congregation, officials of the PURC highlighted the rights of consumers to receive quality electricity and water services, accurate billing, prompt responses to complaints, and access to relevant information from utility providers, including the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Ghana Water Limited.
The officials also reminded consumers of their responsibilities, stressing the need for the prompt payment of utility bills, protection of public utility infrastructure, and the reporting of faults, leakages, and illegal connections to the appropriate authorities.
According to the Commission, active consumer participation is essential to improving service delivery and ensuring accountability within the utility sector.
The engagement further provided an opportunity for residents to raise concerns affecting their daily access to utility services.
Among the key issues highlighted were persistent ECG billing challenges, delays in meter acquisition and replacement, as well as intermittent water supply that continues to affect households and businesses in parts of the municipality.
Some residents expressed frustration over what they described as prolonged delays in resolving electricity-related complaints and called for more efficient interventions from service providers.
Responding to the concerns, PURC officials assured the congregation that the Commission remains committed to protecting consumer interests and working closely with ECG and Ghana Water Limited to address legitimate grievances.
They encouraged consumers to make use of the Commission’s formal complaint mechanisms whenever disputes arise, emphasizing that every complaint submitted through the appropriate channels would be investigated and addressed in accordance with regulatory procedures.
The Commission reiterated its commitment to ensuring fairness, transparency, and improved utility service delivery across the country.
The outreach programme forms part of PURC’s broader consumer protection agenda aimed at empowering citizens with knowledge about their rights while promoting responsible utility usage.
Officials urged the public to remain vigilant and actively participate in efforts to improve electricity and water services by reporting challenges promptly and cooperating with utility providers.
The programme ended with a call on consumers to “know their rights, fulfill their obligations, and work together with stakeholders to build reliable and sustainable utility services for all.”
