The Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA) has vehemently rejected the recent utility tariff hikes approved by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), calling the increases unjustified and harmful to businesses and consumers
PURC announced a 14.75% increase in electricity tariffs and a 4.02% rise in water tariffs, effective May 3, 2025, citing factors like exchange rate fluctuations, inflation, gas costs, and generation mix adjustments
GUTA dismissed these reasons, arguing that PURC failed to address systemic inefficiencies, corruption, and mismanagement in the utility sector.
Other reasons that have been stated by GUTA as a failure on the part of the utility companies are:
- Wastage & Corruption: GUTA highlighted inflated procurement costs, illegal connections, and poor debt recovery (especially from state institutions) as major issues.
- ECG Scandal: The union referenced the missing ECG containers (some found in Tema and Central Region) as evidence of mismanagement 410.
- Weak Oversight: GUTA accused PURC of failing to monitor utility providers effectively, allowing funds to be siphoned into private pockets
GUTA’s opposition underscores frustrations over poor utility governance and the economic strain on Ghanaians. They insist that solving mismanagement—not raising tariffs—is the solution
