ACCRA – The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has met with the Trades Union Congress (TUC) to gather feedback from organised labour and other stakeholders as part of nationwide hearings on proposals submitted by utility companies under the 2025–2029 Multi-Year Tariff Review.
Executive Secretary-PURC Dr. Shafic Suleman said the hearings are intended to strengthen relations between utility providers and consumers while promoting transparency, inclusiveness and accountability in tariff-setting.
“The goal is to ensure Commission decisions strike a fair balance between economic realities and social considerations,” he explained.
Dr. Suleman also acknowledged the TUC’s role in safeguarding the interests of workers and households.
“The TUC has historically been at the vanguard of social justice, defending not only wages and employment but also the Ghanaian worker’s purchasing power and dignity. Your perspective ensures that the Commission’s decisions are grounded in real economic and labour conditions,” he said.
The meeting discussed issues such as: the impact of tariff adjustments on workers and households; need for reliable and affordable utilities to support initiatives like the 24-hour economy; and importance of social equity and national stability in utility reforms.
TUC Secretary-General Joshua Ansah urged stakeholders to actively engage with proposals submitted by the utilities. He further called on government to take firm action against illegal mining activities that pollute water sources, noting this would reduce operational costs for Ghana Water Company Limited and ease the burden of high water tariffs on consumers.
The hearings, which opened in Accra on 8 September 2025, have so far featured inputs from civil society groups, media and several utility firms – including the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Enclave Power Company, Volta River Authority (VRA), Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), Ghana National Gas Company and Ghana Water Company Limited.
PURC said regional consultations will follow in the coming weeks, after which stakeholder inputs will be factored into the Commission’s final decisions.
PURC is the statutory regulator of electricity, water and natural gas sectors.
Source: thebftonline.com
