New utility tariffs too high – Nii Lante Vanderpuye

The National Coordinator for the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), Nii Lante Vanderpuye, has urged government and regulators to reconsider the newly announced utility tariff increases, cautioning that the proposed hikes are excessive and will place additional hardship on ordinary Ghanaians.

Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Thursday, December 4, he stressed the need for authorities to factor in prevailing economic challenges before approving any further adjustments. While acknowledging that utility service providers require sufficient funding to remain functional and deliver quality service, he maintained that consumers should not be overburdened.

According to him, any tariff review must strike a fair balance between operational sustainability for providers and affordability for the public, especially at a time when many households are already grappling with rising living costs.

“They must look at the condition within which we are. We know they need these monies to provide us with services, but 15.9% for water and 9.8% for electricity is extremely high. It must be looked at again.”

Mr Vanderpuye stressed that even though the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) operates as an autonomous body, its decisions ultimately affect citizens whose incomes are already stretched.

“It is about the citizens of this country. If we are going to accept that 9%, we should look at how we can break it down over a certain period. But 9% straight is too high, and it is going to put stress on the ordinary Ghanaian. We must look at it,” he noted.”

His comments come after the PURC announced new tariff adjustments for electricity and water, set to take effect on January 1, 2026, as part of its 2026–2030 multi-year tariff review.

The Commission explained that the upward review is necessary to meet the investment needs of utility providers, ensure industry competitiveness, and protect consumer interests in the long term.