LINKS
OTHER REGULATORY AGENCIES
The following are other Regulatory Agencies
Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The Ministry of Mines & Energy entered into a Technical Co-operation agreement with the Pennsylvania Utilities Commission (PUC) to assist Ghana's regulatory body with technical assistance through attachments, internships and exchange programmes. With the establishment of the PURC, the Ministry duly appointed the Commission as the Ghanaian counterpart agency under the Co-operation Agreement. Since then some members of the Commission have undertaken a study tour to the PUC to learn about regulatory issues. Further, the Commission's Secretariat interacts and consults the PUC on a regular basis. The PURC's special acknowledgments go to the PUC Chairman, J. Quain and his fellow Commissioners as well as Director, CEEP, Dr. Ahmed Kaloko and their supporting staff for their invaluable technical advice. The Commission looks forward to a fuller utilization of the opportunity to co-operate with the PUC as the Commission's staff strength grows.
New York Public Services Commission / California Public Utilities Commission. The PURC is appreciative of both Commissions' assistance regarding study tours. The New York PSC received the Chairman of the PURC on his tour at short notice while the California PUC also graciously received a group of Commissioners. Both Commissions gave informative briefings as well as useful material including regulations, which have proved very helpful to the PURC in fashioning the regulations currently being drafted.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The Commission is also grateful to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission which hosted the PURC Chairman on the study tour which also took him to the New York PSC at very short notice.
OFFER / OFWAT Both OFFER and OFWAT the regulatory bodies for electricity and water respectively in the UK have also been of great assistance to the Commission. During the year, both institutions kindly received Commissioners who undertook a study tour to gain more insight into some key aspects of regulation of utilities in the UK.
OFFER and OFWAT have also given guidance to two key staff of the Secretariat on the establishment of a Library and Information Centre, the management of consumer complaints and setting up Consumer Service Committees in the regions and districts of Ghana.
Donors
Co-operation with World Bank, Department for International Development (DFID) UK and other donors. The PURC has benefited from financial support from the World Bank which together with Central Government has provided the bulk of funding for the Commission's work. There have been useful interactions with the Bank through visits by Missions to discuss, inter alia, electricity tariff levels general issues relating to the power sector and further financing support for the Commission. DFID has also been supportive of the Commission's work. It sponsored four Commissioners on a study tour to the UK where Commissioners were given the opportunity to have fruitful discussions with relevant government departments, some utility companies as well as regulatory bodies. The organization also sent a consultant to assess the Commission's needs and what areas the DFID may be able to offer assistance. The Commission is grateful for the Department's continued assistance and interest in the PURC's work.
USAID. USAID has agreed to support a tariff study to assist the PURC and other stakeholders in the electricity sector. This is being done as part of the assistance offered Ghana by the US Department of Energy during the power crisis. The related terms of reference for the study to be performed by Price Waterhouse Coopers are being prepared. It is hoped that in the year 1999 in addition to funds expected from Ghana Government, donor funding will also be available to enable the Commission to undertake most of the key projects outlined in the year's work programme. |
