The Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA) has called on the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to halt the implementation of its proposed tariff increases scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.
This follows an upward review of electricity and water tariffs announced by PURC on Monday, June 22, which would see consumers paying more for utility services from July 1, 2026.
Under the Commission’s third-quarter tariff adjustment, electricity tariffs have been increased by 3.49 per cent across the board, while water tariffs have been raised by 0.85 per cent.
However, GUTA, in a statement issued on Wednesday, June 24, described the justifications for the increment as untenable, arguing that similar explanations have been consistently used over the years to support tariff hikes.
The Association rejected PURC’s cited factors, including exchange rate fluctuations, inflation, fuel costs, and generation mix, insisting they do not justify the proposed increases.
It argued that the cedi’s depreciation of 4.18 per cent between April and May is insignificant to warrant an increment, while inflation’s rise from 3.4 per cent to 3.7 per cent is also minimal.
GUTA further noted that fuel prices declined in the second pricing window in June, with petrol dropping by 9.3 per cent and diesel by 1.7 per cent, adding that there are no issues with the generation mix as all equipment is functioning properly.
According to the Association, PURC therefore has no justification for the tariff increment.
“The cedi indeed depreciated by an average of 4.18% between April and May, but this depreciation is insignificant, which does not call for any increment.
“Inflation just rose from 3.4% in April to 3.7% in May, which is also minimal. Regarding fuel prices, they fell in the second pricing window in June. Petrol fell by 9.3% and diesel by 1.7%.
“On the issue of Generation Mix, there is no problem, as all the machines are working. PURC has no justification for this tariff increment,” he said.
Click here to read the full statement by the GUTA
