The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has commissioned its new Head Office Building Complex at Ridge in Accra, marking a significant milestone in the Commission’s nearly three-decade journey of regulating Ghana’s electricity, water and natural gas utility sectors. The facility was officially unveiled by the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Hon. Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, on Thursday, August 20, 2026.
The new building for the Commission, represents more than a new address. It reflects the growth of an institution whose mandate has expanded significantly since its establishment in 1997, and its readiness to respond to the increasingly complex demands of the regulated utility sectors in Ghana.
The Minister Commends PURC’s Progress and Broader Mandate
Delivering his speech, the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Hon. Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, congratulated the Board, Management and staff of PURC, describing the new building as a testament to the work that the Commission has undertaken over the years.
The Minister conveyed greetings from the President of the Republic, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, and acknowledged the progress made by PURC since its establishment.
The Minister observed that the Commission’s work had grown beyond tariff determination, pointing to its wider responsibility to protect both consumers and utility service providers. He challenged PURC to ensure that this broader mandate is felt beyond tariff-setting, and particularly through stronger stakeholder engagement and a greater connection with the people it exists to serve.
The Minister also touched on the power situation in the country, noting that engineers were working around the clock to stabilize the electricity supply system. He indicated that as part of the Government’s efforts to sustain the supply of reliable electricity, work on the fire ravaged GRIDCo substation at the Akosombo Generating Plant was expected to be completed by September 2026.
He commended PURC for its work and wished the Commission continued success in carrying out its regulatory mandate.
“For an institution whose mandate is to protect the interests of consumers and utility service providers, the new headquarters provides a new platform to deepen stakeholder engagement, strengthen regulatory oversight and respond to the changing demands of Ghana’s utility sector”, Hon. Dr Abdulai Jinapor added.
Chairman Reflects on PURC’s Journey and New Chapter
Speaking at the ceremony, the Board Chairman of the PURC, Hon. Moses Asaga, described the new facility as a fitting testament to the Commission’s growth and enduring mandate. He said the modern headquarters represents a new chapter in PURC’s journey, reflecting its transformation from its former colonial-era premises into a contemporary facility befitting the Commission’s evolving role.
Hon. Asaga expressed appreciation to the Government for its support and reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to working closely with the Presidency and the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition to advance a well-regulated energy sector. He also encouraged Management and staff of the Commission, to use the new facility as a platform to pursue the Commission’s mandate with renewed dedication and commitment.
A Facility Built for PURC’s Evolving Mandate
The Executive Secretary of PURC, Dr. Shafic Suleman, described the facility as a significant investment in the future of utility service regulation, noting that, it had been designed with modern systems and facilities to support the Commission’s evolving responsibilities.
He highlighted several facilities incorporated into the building, which include modern boardrooms and conference spaces to strengthen stakeholder engagement, state-of-the-art training rooms for continuous professional development, electricity and water meter laboratories to enhance quality assurance, and an ultra-modern real-time monitoring room to improve regulatory visibility.
Dr. Suleman indicated that, the facility reflected the collective contributions of successive Boards, Executive Secretaries, Management and staff, as well as the support of government and other stakeholders.
Dr. Suleman further noted that over the last three decades, PURC had moved from being an institution primarily associated with tariff reviews to one that plays a broader role in shaping the financial and operational landscape of Ghana’s electricity, water and natural gas transmission sectors.
From Concept to Completion
Engineer Nathaniel, a Director at Luthcon, Consultants to the project, took guests through the construction of the facility, providing an overview of the various stages of work undertaken to bring the facility from conception to completion. He highlighted the scope of the project, the key construction activities, and efforts of the teams and professionals who contributed to the development of the modern facility.
Engineer Nathaniel’s presentation offered guests an appreciation of the project from its initial stages to completion and the expertise and commitment that went into delivering the new head office building.
A New Era
The commissioning ceremony brought together members of the Commission’s Board (past and present), representatives of the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources, religious leaders and other stakeholders, staff of Luthcon and Sienna, the Contractors as well as management and staff of PURC.
The Minister for Energy and Green Transition subsequently unveiled the plaque to officially mark the commissioning of the new Head Office Building Complex.
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