The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has intensified its consumer engagement efforts in the Ashanti Region, reaching out to traders and residents at the bustling Nyinahin Market through its innovative “Market Connect” initiative.
The exercise, spearheaded by the PURC Ashanti Regional Office, forms part of a broader public outreach strategy aimed at bringing regulatory services closer to electricity and water consumers, particularly those who may face challenges accessing formal complaint channels.
Speaking during the engagement, officials of the Commission highlighted PURC’s core mandate as established under the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission Act, 1997 (Act 538).
They explained that the Commission is responsible for approving utility tariffs, monitoring service delivery standards, protecting both consumers and service providers, and investigating complaints relating to electricity and water services.
Consumers at the market were taken through the various categories of complaints that can be lodged with the Commission. These include wrongful disconnections, overbilling, failure of utility providers to reflect payments, unsafe service delivery, poor quality of supply, and delays in addressing customer concerns.
The engagement drew significant participation from traders, artisans, and small-scale business operators—groups that rely heavily on stable electricity and water supply to sustain their livelihoods. Officials emphasised that such direct interactions are critical in a region like Ashanti, widely regarded as a commercial powerhouse, where market centres play a central role in economic activity.
According to the Commission, the “Market Connect” initiative is designed not only to enhance accessibility but also to deepen public understanding of consumer rights and responsibilities. By meeting consumers in their everyday environments, PURC aims to remove barriers such as distance, time constraints, and cost, which often prevent individuals from seeking redress.
Officials noted that increased awareness would help reduce disputes between consumers and utility providers while ensuring that service providers adhere strictly to regulatory standards.
They further stressed that early education empowers consumers to demand accountability and discourages potential exploitation.
The initiative also serves to strengthen public confidence in the Commission’s work. Through face-to-face engagement, PURC reassures consumers of its readiness to address grievances promptly and fairly.
As part of the outreach, informational leaflets containing contact details of the Ashanti Regional Office were distributed to participants, enabling them to easily reach the Commission for assistance with future utility-related challenges.
The PURC reaffirmed its commitment to delivering on its mandate under Act 538, assuring the public of its continued efforts to ensure safe, reliable, and quality electricity and water services across the region.
The “Market Connect” programme is expected to be replicated in other market centres within the Ashanti Region as the Commission expands its grassroots engagement strategy.
