The Chairman of the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA), Professor Honoré Bogler, led a four-member delegation to the headquarters of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission PURC) on Thursday, 21^st July 2016 in Accra to exchange views on improving the electricity regulatory environment in West Africa.

ERERA’s delegation was received by the Executive Secretary of the PURC, Mr. Samuel Sarpong, who reiterated the PURC’s willingness and readiness to collaborate with ERERA, especially in view of the launch of the regional power market towards the end of the year.

Both Professor Bogler and Mr. Sarpong agreed to hold regular meetings between the two organizations in order to help harmonize electricity regulatory practices across ECOWAS Member States.

The visit was part of Professor Bogler’s meet-the-stakeholders tour meant to strengthen relations between the institution and its key partners.

At the meeting were the Director of Water of the PURC, Mr. Emmanuel Fiati and Mr. Wallace Duodu, the PURC’s Director of Finance. Others were ERERA’s Power Expert, Mr. Yawovi Negbegble, Administrator Mrs. Seynabou Ngom and Communication Adviser, Mr. Uwem Thompson.

Ghana is a strategic partner in the discharge of ERERA’s mandate. Earlier this year, ERERA praised Ghana’s efforts at implementing the 2013 ECOWAS Directive on the Organization of the Regional Electricity Market.

The Directive provides for the gradual establishment of the ECOWAS regional power market through the harmonization of national electricity markets. It also provides for a regional market design and market phases, open access to the regional transmission network and access by eligible customers.