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ECG, GWCL ‘cough’ GH¢250,000 to customers… for damaging properties, unlawful disconnection, payments

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Dr Ishmael Ackah, Executive Secretary of the PURC

Dr Ishmael Ackah, Executive Secretary of the PURC

An amount of GH¢249,776.97 was recovered for customers of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) within the first-half of the year by the Greater Accra Regional (GAR) Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC).

This action follows 913 complaints received from consumers against the utility companies in the first-six months of the year.

The complaints, however, fell short of the 1,011 re­ceived in the same period last year.

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The Greater Accra Regional Manager of the PURC, Mrs Gifty Bruce-Nelson disclosed this in an interview with the media in Accra last Thursday.

According to her, 896 of the cases, representing 98 per cent of the complaints, have been resolved.

She said the complaints against the GWCL and ECG bothered mainly on damages to property, unlawful discon­nection and payments, qual­ity of service and consumer service billing.

“In a similar vein, the Commission also received 100 complaints from utility companies against consum­ers within the same period for non-payment of bills and assault on their officers,” she added.

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The GAR Manager said the PURC (Consumer Ser­vice) Regulation LI 2413, allowed utility companies to lodge complaints to the commission.

She said if consum­ers made complaints through walk-ins, phone calls or field and written, the re­gional office investi­gates such complaints and seeks ways to resolve them.

Mrs Bruce-Nelson said to reduce com­plaints, the regional commission embarked on sensitisation programme in the communities and schools to educate both con­sumers and the companies on how to prevent such issues.

“We also monitor industries to establish and ascertain the general electricity and water supply situation to commer­cial customers,” she added.

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Mrs Bruce-Nelson cautioned the public to desist from illegal connection, tamper­ing with transformers and stealing.

She urged the public to pay bills promptly, conserve energy and report to the commission when they have complaints.

 By Anita Nyarko-Yirenkyi

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UGMC disputes Michael Blackson’s claims over late mother’s treatment

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The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has disputed claims made on social media by comedian Michael Blackson concerning the treatment given to his late mother, saying a review found that the allegations did not accurately reflect what happened during her stay at the hospital.

In a statement issued in Accra on August 5, 2026, the management of UGMC expressed condolences to Mr. Blackson and his family over the death of his 83-year-old mother, who died at the facility on July 16, 2026.

The hospital said it had taken the concerns raised by Mr. Blackson seriously and conducted a thorough review in line with its clinical and administrative procedures.

According to the statement, the facts presented by Mr. Blackson on social media contained “numerous inaccuracies” and did not accurately reflect the medical care provided to his mother.

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UGMC explained that she was referred to the facility from another hospital and received treatment there from May 27 to July 16, 2026, a period of about eight weeks.

The hospital stated that it would not release details of her diagnosis, treatment, medical records or other aspects of her care because it had a duty to protect patient confidentiality, even after death.

It said the decision was intended to respect the dignity of the deceased and the privacy of her family.

UGMC further stated that all clinical decisions at the facility are made by qualified healthcare professionals based on medical judgment, established standards of care and the best interests of the patient.

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The statement added that such decisions are made in consultation with authorised family representatives where necessary and that billing and financial procedures are governed by institutional policies and are separate from clinical decision-making.

The hospital noted that it values feedback from patients and their families and considers both positive and negative comments important for improving the quality of care.

Mr. Blackson had earlier used social media to criticise the care his mother received at UGMC, prompting the hospital’s response.

By: Jacob Aggrey

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NPP suspends Greater Accra campaigns ahead of “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration

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The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has directed all aspirants campaigning in the Greater Accra Region to suspend their campaign activities on August 5 and 6 and instead mobilise supporters for the party’s planned “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration.

The directive was issued by the party’s National Steering Committee in a statement signed by the NPP General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, on Tuesday.

According to the statement, the decision forms part of efforts to ensure a strong turnout for the demonstration, which is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, 2026.

The party said the protest would begin at 5:00 a.m., with participants expected to gather at the Supreme Court in Accra.

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It further directed Regional, Constituency and Polling Station Executives in Greater Accra to work closely to mobilise members and supporters for the event.

“The National Steering Committee is calling on all aspirants currently campaigning across the Greater Accra Region to temporarily suspend their campaign activities on the 5th and 6th of August and join in mobilising support for the upcoming demonstration,” the statement noted.

The NPP appealed to party members and supporters to remain peaceful, disciplined and orderly throughout the protest.

The demonstration forms part of the party’s response to concerns it has raised over issues relating to Ghana’s democratic governance and the justice system.

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The NPP leadership expressed confidence that party members would cooperate fully to ensure a successful and peaceful event.

By: Jacob Aggrey

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