The Ashanti Regional Office of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has issued a warning to electricity consumers in the region against engaging in unauthorised phase switching, commonly referred to as “phase changing” or “load shifting.” Addressing participants at a sensitisation programme held in Kumasi on Monday, April 13, 2026, the Ashanti Regional Manager of PURC, Edward Boduah, expressed concern over the impact of this practice on the Electricity Company of Ghana’s (ECG) distribution network.
He explained that the illegal act—where consumers deliberately alter their connection from single-phase to three-phase or vice versa without approval—is becoming increasingly widespread in the Ashanti Region, posing risks to grid stability.
He explained that phase switching creates phase imbalances, overloads, and voltage fluctuations, triggering protection relays and causing widespread outages. “It’s a recipe for disaster, leading to transformer damage, equipment failures, and system-wide instability,” he warned. Mr Boduah called on consumers, Assembly members, and residents to report anyone tampering with meter connections or switching phases to ECG, PURC, or the police.
“Prompt action can prevent hours of power outages and avert damage to electrical equipment,” PURC notes. The Ashanti Regional Office of PURC has been engaging consumers, educating them on its mandate, tariff decisions, and LI 2413 provisions. “Unauthorised phase switching is a serious offence, and perpetrators will face penalties under relevant laws”, the PURC said.
Source: Benjamin Aidoo
