Accra: The Minority Caucus on the Energy Committee of Parliament has criticized the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission's (PURC) recent decision to increase electricity tariffs by 3.49 per cent for the third quarter of 2026. They described this move as a 'naked political decision' lacking economic rationale.
According to Ghana News Agency, the PURC announced the tariff hike at a press conference on June 22, 2026, following a reduction of 4.81 per cent in the previous quarter. Mr. Collins Adomako-Mensah, Deputy Ranking Member on the Energy Committee, expressed concerns over the cumulative 26.82 per cent increase in electricity prices since January 2025.
During a media briefing at Parliament House, Mr. Adomako-Mensah explained that the PURC justified the increase based on a 0.2 per cent depreciation of the Ghana Cedi against the US Dollar and a 1.58 per cent rise in natural gas costs. However, he argued that these factors did not warrant the hike, pointing out that the Cedi had appreciated by nearly 40 per cent against the Dollar since January 2025, interest rates had decreased from 27 per cent to 23 per cent, and gas costs had actually decreased by 1.58 per cent.
He further questioned the rationale behind the tariff increase, noting that Ghana's power generation mix had remained unchanged from April to July 2026. Mr. Adomako-Mensah warned that the increase would exacerbate the already high cost of electricity, negatively impacting the competitiveness of Ghana's industry and SMEs.
Referencing the NDC's proposed 24-hour economy, he remarked that the public expected reliable and affordable power to boost competitiveness and reduce living costs, yet the new tariff hike contradicts this promise. With Ghana no longer under an IMF Extended Credit Facility, he emphasized that the government could not attribute tariff changes to external lenders, holding it accountable for every increase.
Mr. Adomako-Mensah concluded with a stern warning, urging the government to reconsider its policies and avoid exerting further financial pressure on Ghanaians.