Ghanaian citizen Emmanuel Senyo Amekplenu has petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to order an independent investigation into alleged irregularities in electricity tariff determination, the imposition of an Electricity Market Oversight Panel (EMOP) levy and corporate governance concerns at the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).
In the petition addressed to the President, Mr Amekplenu also raised concerns over alleged interference by members of the PURC Board in the Commission’s administration and the regulatory approval of a tariff for the AkSA Power Takoradi project.
He said the matters raised had implications for consumer protection, fair competition, public finances and confidence in Ghana’s electricity regulatory system.
Mr Amekplenu stressed that the petition was not intended to prejudge any individual or institution, noting that he had distinguished between information obtained through Right to Information (RTI) requests, information received orally and allegations requiring independent verification.
One of the key issues raised concerns alleged preferential electricity tariffs for some steel companies.
According to the petitioner, information published by PURC on its 2026 third-quarter tariffs suggests that some steel companies may be paying rates lower than the normal industrial tariff applicable to Ghanaian businesses.
He said he had been informed orally by persons associated with some of the affected companies that an amount of approximately GH¢5 million may have been contributed in connection with the tariff review.
However, he emphasised that he had no written confirmation from the companies and was therefore not presenting the claim as established fact.
He has consequently asked for an investigation into whether any such contribution was made, who received it, its purpose, whether it was disclosed to PURC and whether it influenced the tariff determination.
He also wants investigators to establish whether any PURC Board member or officer had a financial, personal or other interest in the alleged arrangement and whether the preferential tariffs complied with the law and PURC’s tariff-setting methodology.
The petition also challenges the legality and administration of a levy associated with EMOP.
Mr Amekplenu argues that EMOP is neither a public utility nor an institution designated by the relevant legislation to have its operational expenses recovered through the electricity tariff in the manner he alleges.
He said information obtained through RTI requests to EMOP and the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) indicated that more than GH¢2 million had been recovered and paid into EMOP’s account between January and July 2026.
He has therefore called for a legal, administrative and financial investigation into the authority for incorporating the levy into electricity tariffs, the procedures followed, the total amount recovered from consumers and how the funds were transferred and utilised.
The petitioner further raised concerns over what he described as alleged excessive interference by the PURC Board in the day-to-day administration of the Commission.
He claimed the situation had created tension within the institution and could be affecting staff morale, productivity and institutional effectiveness.
He also alleged that executives of the staff union had received threatening telephone calls from persons said to be Board members.
Mr Amekplenu is asking for an investigation into the relationship between the Board and PURC’s professional management, allegations of interference in operational matters and claims of intimidation or retaliation against staff and their representatives.
Another area of concern involves a current PURC Board member who previously worked for the Commission.
The petitioner said he was seeking an examination of the circumstances surrounding the former employee’s departure from PURC, her subsequent appointment to the Board and her conduct since joining the governing body.
He alleged that she had adopted a punitive approach towards some staff and management personnel and raised concerns about possible unresolved grievances or conflicts of interest.
Mr Amekplenu, however, stressed that he was not presenting those allegations as established facts and was asking for an independent investigation to determine whether they were true or unfounded.
He said the investigation should establish whether appropriate conflict-of-interest, recusal and other governance safeguards had been applied.
The petition also raises concerns about the AkSA Power Takoradi project and the tariff approved for it.
According to Mr Amekplenu, information available to him suggests that the project may not have obtained all requisite regulatory approvals at the time PURC considered or approved its tariff.
He is asking for an investigation into the project’s licensing status, the regulatory processes followed, the basis and methodology used to determine its tariff, and whether the approved tariff represents value for money for electricity consumers.
He has also called on the appropriate anti-corruption and law-enforcement bodies to determine whether there is any evidence of bribery, improper inducement, corruption or other misconduct connected to the project or its tariff approval.
The petitioner emphasised that he was not alleging that any PURC Board member had been bribed, but said the circumstances warranted independent examination.
Mr Amekplenu has urged President Mahama to refer relevant aspects of the petition to institutions including the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the Auditor-General, the Public Services Commission, the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA) and the Energy Commission.
He is also calling for any tariff, levy or regulatory decision found to have been made unlawfully or through improper processes to be reviewed and corrective action taken in accordance with the law.
The petitioner said the ultimate objective of the investigation should be to restore public confidence in PURC and safeguard the Commission’s independence, professionalism, impartiality and accountability.
He reiterated that his petition was made in the public interest and was not intended to declare any person guilty.
“The purpose of this petition is therefore not to declare any person guilty, but to request that the competent authorities establish the facts and take appropriate action based on the evidence,” he said.
