The Minority in Parliament has called on the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to provide a detailed explanation for its decision to increase electricity and water tariffs, arguing that the move appears inconsistent with government claims of improving economic conditions.
Under the new tariff adjustments, which take effect on July 1, 2026, electricity tariffs will increase by 3.49 per cent, while water tariffs will rise by 0.85 per cent.
Speaking at a press briefing in Parliament on Thursday, June 25, the Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Energy Committee, Collins Adomako Mensah, questioned the rationale behind the increases at a time when government officials continue to highlight positive economic indicators.
According to him, the government has repeatedly cited the appreciation of the Ghana cedi, declining inflation, and lower interest rates as evidence of a recovering economy.
Mr. Adomako Mensah argued that if these economic gains are indeed being realised, consumers should be benefiting from reduced utility costs rather than facing additional financial burdens.
The Minority is therefore demanding greater transparency from the PURC regarding the specific factors that informed the latest tariff review and the basis for the adjustments.
The call comes amid growing public debate over the impact of utility tariff increases on households and businesses, particularly as consumers continue to grapple with the cost of living.
PURC recently announced the tariff adjustments as part of its quarterly review mechanism, which takes into account factors such as inflation, exchange rate movements, fuel costs, and the electricity generation mix.
However, the Minority insists that the Commission must provide a clearer justification for the increases in light of the government’s reported economic progress.
