Ghana’s Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) is undergoing a historic transformation under its Executive Secretary, Dr. Shafic Suleman, who took office in January 2025.
Within a few months, the Commission has repositioned itself as a key force in the country’s development, executing major reforms to ensure accountability, financial transparency, and operational efficiency in the utility sector.
These efforts are deeply aligned with the government’s Resetting Ghana Agenda, which calls for resilient, forward-looking public institutions.
Since taking the reins, Dr. Suleman has made power system optimization and revenue enhancement top priorities.
In partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), PURC introduced a groundbreaking Single Holding Account (SHA) — a major digital reform that allows for real-time monitoring of ECG’s revenue collections and disbursements.
“This initiative has boosted liquidity, stabilized sector finances, and addressed the persistent cash flow challenges previously faced by Independent Power Producers (IPPs).”
Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC)
The SHA’s implementation ensures that funds are efficiently allocated, following the Cash Waterfall Mechanism (CWM), and its digitization marks a watershed moment for financial transparency in Ghana’s energy sector.
To resolve longstanding foreign exchange imbalances that had paralyzed power producers, PURC also facilitated the establishment of a dedicated forex line with the Bank of Ghana.
As a result, previously delayed payments to IPPs have now resumed with consistency and predictability, clearing significant debts that had been a thorn in the side of the sector for years.
These moves support broader national goals, including Ghana’s ICT Reset Agenda and 24-Hour Economy policy.
The Commission noted, “PURC’s actions promote innovation in an inclusive digital regulatory space,” referencing the rollout of its second-phase Database Management System (DBMS) project.
This initiative is set to harmonize utility data across electricity, water, and gas services and is based on Digital Twin Technology. The project has already attracted attention from development partners such as GIZ and the African Development Bank.
Drive to Boost Investment
In the drive to boost investment confidence, PURC, with support from the World Bank Group, hosted a training session on standardized Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
These are vital to reducing risks for private investors and ensuring predictability in the energy market — a necessary step as the government seeks to reopen Ghana’s bond markets and attract private capital.
PURC also moved decisively to enforce operational and financial accountability. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, it resolved over 94% of 4,204 consumer complaints across ECG, NEDCo, and Ghana Water Limited (GWL).
The process led to more than GHS1 million in consumer credits, infrastructure improvements such as replacing transformers and poles, and recovery of over GHS500,000 for the utilities themselves.
When widespread power disturbances swept the country in May 2025, PURC responded swiftly.
The Commission iterated that Dr. Suleman convened an emergency meeting with senior executives from ECG, GRIDCo, and NEDCo to address root causes of instability.
This move signaled a crucial shift from reactive customer service to proactive system stabilization.
“Under Dr. Suleman’s leadership, the Commission recovered nearly GHS1 billion in outstanding debts through the first two quarters of the 2025 tariff review process.”
Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC)
By allowing the inclusion of 100% of arrears from the previous year, PURC ensured critical liquidity injection into the sector.
For the first time, the tariffs also included a power reserve capacity margin and a cost allocation for alternative liquid fuels — a vital provision for long-term energy security.
Ahead of the 2025–2028 Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO), the Commission organized its first-ever investment hearing involving all major utility providers.
Dr. Suleman used the platform to stress the importance of transparent, data-driven proposals, realistic timelines, and consumer-focused outcomes. Only projects offering demonstrable value would influence tariffs, he made clear.
Sector Engagements
As part of its regional strategy, PURC embarked on extensive tours across the country, enabling the Executive Secretary to personally assess the field-level implementation of policies and engage with local stakeholders, including Chiefs and government officials.
His visits also covered Pro-Poor Water Project sites, which provide potable water to thousands of vulnerable citizens, reinforcing the Commission’s commitment to equitable access and the government’s broader goal of rebuilding trust in public institutions.
Meanwhile, the PURC is expanding its physical footprint by opening new offices in regions such as Savannah and Western North. A new media initiative titled “Time with PURC” is also in the pipeline, designed to help citizens understand the complex dynamics of utility regulation.
In the water sector, the Commission is stepping up regulatory oversight. PURC has played a key role in discussions around water pollution from illegal mining (galamsey), which threatens the operations of water utilities.
Dr. Suleman’s team has also mediated a debt resolution agreement between ECG and GWL and conducted performance audits across key water treatment facilities to improve service delivery.
PURC’s reforms are positioned as foundational to Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy agenda. The ability to extend business hours, support industrial productivity, and create jobs hinges on a stable, reliable power supply.
“This remarkable synergy is not merely a coincidence but the direct result of deliberate, coordinated action and a shared, unwavering commitment to national progress.”
Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC)
With strong support from President John Dramani Mahama, Ghana appears poised to enter a new phase of transformation, where regulatory agencies are not passive enforcers but active architects of national development.
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