Collins Adomako-Mensah, the former Deputy Energy Minister and Member of Parliament for Afigya Kwabre North has stated he is a little bit surprised about the PURC tariff increment.
According to Collins Adomako-Mensah, before the 2024 election National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia suggested that electricity tariffs would be reduced to support the 24-hour economy..
Speaking on Channel One TV, Collins Adomako-Mensah stated, “I’m a little bit surprised about the announcement because of the rhetoric prior to the 2024 election,”
If you recall, this issue became topical when political figures made some pronouncements to the effect that they would rather try as much as possible to reduce electricity tariffs, especially with the 24-hour economy mantra.
“If you recall, I listened to the president and the National Chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, while campaigning [in 2024]; they indicated that one of the features of the 24-hour economy is to have electricity tariffs reduced for companies that will opt for the 24-hour economy. That is where the surprise is coming from,” Mr. Adomako-Mensah explained.
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) announced an adjustment in electricity and water tariffs.
The PURC in a statement announced that electricity and water tariffs will be increased by an average of 14.75%, while water tariffs will go up by 4.02%.
According to the statement the new tariffs, are set to take effect on May 3, 2025.
“The commission, in their decision today at 6pm reviewed upward the average end-user tariff for electricity by 14.75 per cent and also 4.02 per cent upward for water supply across board for all category of consumers,” he stated.
The PURC recognized the adjustments were due to the exchange rate between the Ghanaian cedi and the US dollar, inflation projections, fuel costs, and the current hydro-thermal generation mix.
PURC in a statement issued on Friday, April 11 revealed the commission needs to recover 50% of outstanding revenue amounting to GHS976 million from previous quarters in 2024
The statement added the remaining 50% will be spread over subsequent quarters in 2025.
Meanwhile, Dr Gideon Boako, the deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Finance Committee and MP for Tano North has told the Mahama government not to blame the electricity tariff increments on the IMF deal.
According to him, under IMF conditions, the Akufo-Addo-led administration managed electricity tariffs more efficiently in the interest of the Ghanaian people.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, 12 April, he criticised the current administration, saying, “The NDC government that promised to reduce the cost of living has, in their first four months, increased electricity tariffs by 14.75%.”
“Let this not be blamed on any IMF programme because the data above shows that under the same IMF programmes, the NPP managed the electricity tariffs better”, he added.
