On Saturday, September 28, the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) announced a 3.02% rise in electricity tariffs and a 1.86% increase in water tariffs for the third quarter of 2024, effective from October 1. The commission attributed the adjustment to factors such as fluctuations in the exchange rate, inflation, and gas prices.

Joseph Paddy, Public Relations Officer for GUTA, expressed frustration over the decision, stating that it will exacerbate the already challenging living conditions for Ghanaians.

“The new tariffs are not justifiable. The increase is linked to rising gas prices, interest rates, and exchange rate instability. But who is responsible for the exchange rate going up? This is exactly what the fiscal committee has been warning about – instability in the system.

“They need to reconsider this decision, or it will make life much harder for Ghanaians. The cost of living is already very high, and this increase at such a critical time will only worsen the situation. Even the timing is problematic.”

Source: Adomonline.com

READ ALSO:

• Aburi Girls’ headmistress dies while on official duty
• 2024 election: Akufo-Addo set to begin campaign tour
• Taxes are suffocating businesses – GNCCI CEO calls for urgent tax reforms

The Head of Communications and Public Affairs of the Ministry of Energy, Nana Kofi Oppong Damoah, has denied allegations by a former deputy minister of energy, John Jinapor, that the Electricity Company of Ghana has illegally increased tariffs.

Nana Damoah, speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen Monday, called on Mr Jinapor to clarify his comments about the supposed increment of tariffs by the ECG.

READ ALSO: Woman sues her ex-boyfriend because ‘his abnormally long penis stretched her vagina’

“You have every chance to correct the information about the alleged increased tariffs. If Mr Jinapor is saying ECG has not come out to clear the issues so it’s true, does it mean he is the only one who has seen the report from ECG? A wrong impression was created and needs to be corrected by Mr Jinapor. He should have brought some of the bills to prove his point for us to believe his allegations.”

However, Mr Jinapor maintained his stance that there has been a 33% increase in the bulk generation tariff by the ECG which they need to explain.

READ ALSO: Akufo-Addo leaves for a day’s visit to Qatar

“I have been monitoring the ECG system through the prepaid and it is obvious there have been price hikes which are been transferred to the consumer”.

READ ALSO: Ghana Post GPS: Beware of fake digital addresses

Mr Jinapor contends that only the Public Utility and Regulation Commission (PURC) is the only institution mandated to increase utility tariffs in the country and has therefore described the alleged act by the ECG as illegal.

This follows a similar demonstration last week Tuesday where officials of VRA promised to respond to issues within a week.

Last Friday, VRA suggested at a meeting between the two parties that some meters from the communities be tested at Ghana Standards Authority to prove efficiency in the presence of the residents’ representatives.

The suggestion from VRA has however been rejected by the residents as they described it as antics from VRA to ran away from the substantive issue.

They insist neither Ghana Standards Authority nor Public Utility Regulatory Commission will be able to solve their problems following previous engagement with the latter.

According to them, a likely demonstration in the coming days will take a different dimension.

One of the angry residents in an interview with Adom News’ Kwame Yankah said they are ready to sacrifice their lives to end it all.

“In short, we want to tell VRA that if they are not ready to resolve our issues, then all die be die,” he said.

The residents say considering the location of the Akosombo dam, communities around will be submerged in the event of spillage or if the dam collapses.

An opinion leader, Emmanuel Teye Nartey said they have petitioned the new VRA boss over their grievances.

Meanwhile, Head of Corporate Affairs at VRA, Gertrude Koomson when contacted maintained that going to Standards Authority to resolve issues with the meters is the only way out.