The Chief of staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, says a collective effort is required to tackle the current economic challenges facing the country.
That, she said, was because the future was bright as the government had positioned itself to fight the economic turbulence.
Mrs Osei-Opare said this in a statement read on her behalf by Dr Mokowa Blay Adu-Gyamfi, Presidential Advisor on HIV/AIDS, Office ofthe President,at the 25th anniversary lecture of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) in Accra yesterday.
The silver jubilee of the PURC was marked on theme “Celebrating 25 Years of Utility Regulation in Ghana”.
“All of us,including the PURC, have a role to play in this journey of economic recovery,” Mrs Osei-Opare stated.
She said 25 years was an important milestone as it gave an opportunity for reflection, adding that “one of the things that stood out for me in my contemplations is that institutions will fail if they do not enjoy the support of the citizenry”.
As such, she encouraged all and sundry to continue to participate in the work of the PURC by offering constructive criticisms and suggestions as appropriate.
“We will all be the ultimate beneficiaries if PURC succeeds, and as such we cannot sit on the fence,” she added.
Mrs Osei-Opare indicated that the presidency was convinced that PURC was strategically placed to attract peer review regulatory studies in Africa.
“I say this because PURC has tackled every component of its mandate head-on, albeit with varying degrees of success. I commend the commission for recruiting and retaining a wide range of professionals who bring their specialties to bear on its cross-cutting mandate,” she stated.
“The results include deep consultation structures, public education processes, technical analysis and monitoring strategies, and bold advisory papers to government,” she added.
Dr Ishmael Ackah, Executive Secretary, said the commission in its 25 years of existence pursued a decentralised strategy meant to reach a wider section of the population.
“Our ten regional offices are primarily responsible for monitoring utility services and resolving customer complaints around the country,” he said.
“Additionally, the commission’s Consumer Service Committees (CSCs) and Nationwide Consumer Clinics provide another channel for the public to have a direct voice in the quality of service,” he added.
Dr Ackah noted that these strategies by the commission had contributed to improvements in the quality of service provided by utility companies, thereby increasing consumer satisfaction as evidenced by countless messages of appreciation from consumers.
He said that the commission had over the years benefitted from the support of the government, utilities, donors,sister regulatory institutions and the public.
Dr Ackah commended past and present board members, management and staff of the PURC, adding that “as we look forward, it is our expectation that all achievements accomplished can only improve to deepen efficiency, accountability and transparency in the delivery of electricity, water and natural gas services in the country”.
Nana Dr S.K.B. Asante, Omanhene of Asante Asokore and Chairman of the occasion, congratulated the commission on the feat chalked and urged it to continue to deliver on its mandate to enhance utilities and consumers’ interests in the country.
BY ABIGAIL ARTHUR
