Executive Secretary of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), Dr. Shafic Suleman, on Monday, October 5, 2026, paid a working visit to Tamale in the Northern Region, to engage with staff of the Commission’s Northern Regional Office and to interact with management of utility service providers on their operational performance, service delivery and ongoing infrastructure investments.
The visit forms part of the Commission’s efforts to strengthen its regional operations, promote effective regulatory oversight and to ensure that, consumers receive reliable and quality electricity and water services.
The Regional Office made a presentation on the region’s operational performance for the first half of 2026. A key highlight of the presentation was the region’s role in facilitating the replacement of 31 transformers across the region since January 2026. The achievement was particularly welcomed by the Executive Secretary, who commended the Regional Office for its efforts towards addressing electricity distribution challenges and improving delivery service to consumers.
Dr. Suleman encouraged the team to intensify public education and stakeholder engagement activities to deepen consumer understanding of the Commission’s mandate and regulatory decisions. He further urged staff to make effective use of the Stakeholder and Public Education Manual Guide, which is being developed by the Commission, to promote a more coordinated and impactful approach to public education. He emphasized the importance of sustained engagement with consumers and other stakeholders in building public confidence in the Commission and ensuring that consumers are adequately informed about issues affecting the provision of utility services.
As part of the working visit, Dr. Suleman also met with management of the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) at its head office. The meeting was attended by the Managing Director, his two Deputies and Directors of the company. Discussions focused on the status of the Critical Short-Term Investments approved by the Commission under the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO). The Executive Secretary requested an update on the implementation of these investments and urged management to accelerate the execution of outstanding projects. He indicated that, the timely implementation of the approved investments was essential to improving electricity service delivery and ensuring that consumers experienced sustained improvements in the quality and reliability of supply.
He underscored the fact that funding for the critical investments had already been approved under the MYTO, indicating that, consumers were already paying for these investments through the approved tariff arrangements. He therefore called on NEDCo to ensure that the investments translated into tangible improvements in service delivery. The engagement reinforced the need for utility service providers to demonstrate accountability in the use of approved investment funding and to prioritise projects, which directly addressed consumer concerns and operational challenges.
The Executive Secretary visited the raw water intake point of Ghana Water Limited (GWL) at Nawuni and the water treatment plant at Dalun to assess the facilities and to gain firsthand insight into the company’s water production operations. During the visit to the Dalun Treatment Plant, Dr. Suleman observed that, some of the facilities required refurbishment and improved maintenance to support efficient operations and sustain service delivery.
Notwithstanding these concerns, the Executive Secretary commended GWL for the daily average water production figure of 35 million litres, as against an installed production capacity of 45 million litres. The performance was noted in the context of the facility’s role in supplying treated water to Tamale Metropolis and surrounding communities.
Dr. Suleman encouraged GWL to continue its efforts to provide water services to consumers diligently, while maintaining the operational standards necessary to ensure a reliable supply. He noted the progress made towards the commencement of the construction of a new water treatment plant at Yapei under the Tamale Water Project. The planned facility was expected to support efforts at strengthening the water production capacity in the Northern Region and to improve the long-term water supply outlook for Tamale township and its environs.
The working visit reaffirmed PURC’s commitment to effective regional supervision, constructive engagement with utility service providers and the protection of consumer interests. Through engagements with its regional staff, NEDCo management and Ghana Water Limited, the Commission continues to emphasise the importance of accountability, timely infrastructure investment, proper maintenance of utility facilities and sustained public education.
The Executive Secretary’s visit highlighted the critical role of regional offices in monitoring utility performance, facilitating interventions to address service challenges and ensuring that the concerns of consumers remain central to the delivery of electricity and water services. Dr Suleman reiterated the Commission’s commitment to working collaboratively with utility service providers and relevant stakeholders to promote efficient, reliable and sustainable utility services for consumers across the Northern Region and Ghana as a whole.
