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Advocate for reduction in utility bills for tertiary institutions – KTU Vice-Chancellor appeals to PURC
The Vice-Chancellor of the Koforidua Technical University (KTU), Professor David Kofi Essumang, has appealed to the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to help advocate for the reduction in the huge utility bills for tertiary institutions.
He said the bills being paid by tertiary institutions had become “a burden on the neck” of such institutions.
The challenge, he said, had compelled them to commit more resources in paying utility bills considering the gadgets used in the institutions to ensure efficient and effecting teaching and learning.
He said the bills being paid by tertiary institutions had become “a burden on the neck” of such institutions.
The challenge, he said, had compelled them to commit more resources in paying utility bills considering the gadgets used in the institutions to ensure efficient and effecting teaching and learning.
“We plead with the PURC to consider the institutions as they consider the industries as well. We need power more than any other persons to operate our laboratories, offices among others and PURC should consider ways that tertiary institutions could be cushioned a bit to enable us operate effectively and efficiently,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor made the appeal during a tariff education organised by the PURC for students in the tertiary institutions in Koforidua.
The purpose was to educate the students on tariffs and the need for them to pay their bills promptly.
The event which was also attended by the university lecturers and administrators was also to enable the students to ask pertinent questions about utility services and to be provided with answers that would increase their knowledge on such services.
Professor Essumang revealed that about 90% of his students lived in rented homes and added that payment of electricity and water bills created a lot of confusion between landlords and students.
He was grateful to the PURC for such education and indicated that the students have now been empowered with knowledge on tariffs and would be able to use the PURC applications to calculate the amount of utility they used so they would not be cheated by landlords.
“You can now use the PURC Electricity Consumption Estimator and PURC Tarrif Reckoner to calculate exact energy used so that you can challenge any bills given to you,” he said.
He advised the students not to go fight their landlords but to do so diligently.
The Executive Secretary of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), Dr Ishmael Ackah urged students in the tertiary institutions to report any illegal connections of electricity and water to their premises to the utility providers for redress.
He said any person who reported illegal connections of utility services would be paid six percent of the amount recovered.
He said the payment of such amount to persons who report could be good motivation for the students who could become ambassadors for the prompt payment of utility bills and added they could benefit as well.
Speaking on the reasons for engaging the universities, he stated that sometimes utility consumers including students did not understand the processes of billing, adding that such situations caused tension between utility providers and consumers as well as students and landlords.
Dr Ackah revealed that the education would enable the students to also educate their parents and stated this would help to improve understanding and cordial relationship between consumers and utility providers.
He said the PURC would continue to play the intermediary role between the two and would ensure that utility providers provide quality services to the consumers whilst consumers also paid their bills promptly.
The Eastern Regional Operations and Consumer Services Director of PURC,Alhaji Jabaru Abukari urged utility to ensure that they report their concerns with the landlords for redress.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
Ghana’s parliament has marked the 2nd edition of May Day 2026 under the theme “ Welcome Home”.
It was special day meant to celebrate the invaluable support of the workforce, recognizing the commitment, resilience, and contributions of workers to institutional growth and national development.
Delivering the message on behalf of the Speaker, the 1st Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, described the theme as very apt, appropriate, and timely, noting that Parliament is more than a workplace, it is a shared home.
He emphasized that we cannot speak about work without speaking about people, reminding everyone that the true measure of our work is the well-being of our people.
He urged that our traditional clothing become an integral part of our everyday clothing, and that our local languages must become integral to our daily lives, interwoven into education and practiced at home.
Referencing Standing Order 63, which captures the use of local language as optional in deliberations, he encouraged a renewed commitment to identity, saying it is significant that we “come home” and present who we are so future generations can inherit a story they can fully tell.
The Clerk, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, in his remarks commended officers for their dedication and devotion to duty, calling on them to go the extra mile and leave legacies.
Echoing the reminder that an unexamined life is not worth living, he described the event as an invitation to reconnect with our roots through cultural revival.
The Deputy Clerk, C&FMS, Dr. Gloria Sarku Kumawu, urged all not to forget their roots, the people behind the stories of ministries, industries, and the strides made both in-house and beyond.
What began last year has now become a meaningful tradition, showcasing Ghanaian heritage, fostering unity, and encouraging innovation under the principle of diversity for unity and diversity for progress, she added.
The gathering brought together leadership, public officials, and staff across all levels, along with the media, standing as a unifying platform that honored service, celebrated culture, and reaffirmed a shared commitment to national development.
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Manhyia would serve as Ghana’s unifying force …Otumfuo assures on commemoration of 27 years on the Golden Stool
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, last Friday celebrated his 27th enstoolment with a colourful and culture-rich ceremony at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, drawing a distinguished gathering of dignitaries from across Ghana and beyond.
Clad in splendid kente and adorned in rich traditional regalia, the dignitaries added colour and elegance to the occasion, as the palace grounds came alive with a vibrant display of Ghanaian culture.
Traditional drumming, dancing and symbolic rites underscored the deep-rooted heritage of the Ashanti Kingdom, captivating guests and reaffirming the value of tradition in modern society.
Speaking at a high-level Executive Gala organised by the Diaspora Affairs Office of the Office of the President in strategic partnership with the E ON 3 Group, the ‘World-Meets-in-Ghana’ gala, the Asantehene urged Ghanaians to guard against the divisive tendencies of partisan politics.
The event was to honour the Asantehene’s nearly three-decade reign under the theme ‘Advancing Peace and Sustainable Economic Development through Royal Vision’.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II noted that such attitudes threatened the country’s long-standing values of unity, civility and brotherliness.
He assured that Manhyia would continue to serve as a unifying force for the nation.
The celebration also featured the presentation of commemorative gold coins to notable national leaders, including the President, John Dramani Mahama, former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as well as Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, a former Vice President in recognition of their contributions to peace and national development.
By Spectator Reporter
