Minority Party Urges Government to Suspend Tariff Hikes

Parliamentary Minority leaders condemned the newly announced utility tariff hikes on Tuesday, demanding an immediate suspension after the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) unveiled rates that will take effect on 1 January 2026.

The demand was voiced at a press conference led by George Kwame Aboagye, Ranking Member of Parliament’s Energy Committee, who accused the hikes of reflecting deeper governance failures rather than genuine service improvements.

“Our position remains firm and non‑negotiable. This tariff must be reversed immediately, and measures must be taken to protect consumers and sustain businesses. Ghanaian deserves relief, not repeated shots,” George Kwame Aboagye, Ranking Member, Energy Committee, said.

PURC concluded its 2026–2030 Multi‑Year Tariff Review (MYTO) and announced a 9.86 percent increase in electricity tariffs and a 15.92 percent rise in water rates for all customer categories.

The commission justified the hikes by citing the need to fund capital and operational expenses of electricity and water utilities over the next five years, amid inflation, exchange‑rate volatility and rising fuel costs.

It also disclosed that the review followed a series of investment hearings, stakeholder consultations and regional public forums, and introduced a mini‑grid tariff scheme to bring island and remote community electricity costs under the Volta River Authority’s national framework.

Minority MPs warned that raising bills while chronic inefficiencies persist at the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) is unjustifiable and will shift the financial burden onto ordinary Ghanaians.

“The minority stands firmly with Ghanaian workers, households, small businesses and industries struggling to survive. We will continue to use every legitimate parliamentary tool to demand fairness, transparency and accountability in the management of the nation’s utilities,” the minority bloc declared.

The standoff is set to continue as Parliament debates possible suspension measures, while consumer groups await further clarification on how the new tariffs will impact everyday life.

Image Source: MYJOYONLINE