President of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), Dr. Joseph Obeng, has launched a strong critique of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), accusing the regulator of abandoning its core mandate of protecting consumers.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Accra International Conference Centre, Dr. Obeng alleged that the commission is siding with utility providers at the expense of the public.
“The PURC has deviated, we want everybody to know that PURC has deviated on their mandate,” he stated. “They are there to mediate on behalf of the consuming public and the utility providers. But if you look at the trend, I think they are serving the interest of the utility provider.”
He called for a complete overhaul of the commission, stressing that its current structure fails to deliver fairness. “They need complete reformation as well. We have to reconstitute it and make fair the mandate of PURC,” he said.
Dr. Obeng also questioned the motivations behind the frequent utility price hikes, suggesting that there may be undue influence from utility companies. “Are they being lobbied by these utility companies to continually increase the charges? This is negating every effort of the government itself,” he remarked.
He warned that the rising cost of utilities threatens the government’s broader economic stabilization agenda. “The economy that we want to stabilise and all that — the utility cost is negating this effort. The government should stand up,” he urged.
Dr. Obeng concluded by aligning with previous speakers at the event, saying, “I will say much as our brothers have said it all.”
Watch the video below;
