Two prominent civil society organisations, CUTS International Accra and the Center for Environmental Management and Sustainable Energy (CEMSE), have jointly called on the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to suspend its planned 2.45% electricity tariff increase, set to take effect on July 1, 2025.
In a joint statement, Appiah Kusi Adomako, West Africa Regional Director of CUTS, and Benjamin Nsiah, Executive Director of CEMSE, argued that the hike is unjustified, especially given Ghana’s improving macroeconomic indicators.
They pointed to the significant appreciation of the cedi against the U.S. dollar and the continued decline in inflation, both key factors in PURC’s tariff-setting formula.
“The economy is on a recovery path, with reduced inflation and a stronger cedi easing pressure on import costs. This should translate into lower, not higher, electricity prices,” the statement said.
The groups warned that the decision undermines public trust and appears out of touch with the expectations of consumers and businesses still recovering from past economic shocks.
They urged PURC to engage stakeholders more broadly and adopt a more transparent, responsive approach to tariff reviews.
They also cautioned that continued tariff increases could hurt industrial competitiveness, discourage investment, and strain household incomes.
CUTS and CEMSE concluded by urging PURC to suspend the hike and consider a pricing regime that reflects current economic realities while promoting affordability and equity.
With the July 1 deadline approaching, the call for a review is gaining momentum, as public debate over the fairness and timing of the increase intensifies.
