Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has assured Ghanaians that all hope is not lost

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when it comes to tariff reviews.

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The executive secretary of the commission, Ishmael Ackah is of the view that there is a chance for Ghana's utility rates to be decreased rather than raised as is customary.

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However, he stated that for this to be accomplished, the exchange rate and inflation rate must be stable or see a decline in their figures.

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“So our hope is for the exchange rate to remain stable or even fall if possible. Inflation would remain stable or even if it will go up, not so much like the June level. If some of these things happen, we will reduce the tariffs,” he said on JoyNews’ PM Express.

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Mr. Ackah said the goal of the quarterly review of utility rates was to track and take into account changes in the important variables that were used to calculate the rates for natural gas, electricity, and water.

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He further clarified that the mechanism aims to prevent the public from becoming overburdened with an accumulation of increments all at once after years of no review.

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On Tuesday, August 22, the PURC announced an increase in electricity and water tariffs by 4.22 % and 1.18% respectively, effective September 1, 2023.

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A statement, the PURC noted that, “The Commission however approved a 4.22% increase across board in the average end-user electricity tariff for non-lifeline residential customers.”

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It added that, “For the average end-user for water, life-line customers will experience no increase or change in tariff. The Commission however approved a 1.18 % increase in tariff for all other water customer group”.

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