The Trades Union Congress (TUC) and 35 organized labor unions have declared their intention to stage a demonstration on February 13.

The decision to protest comes in response to the government's rejection of their demand to repeal the 15 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) imposed on electricity.

The TUC and the coalition of 35 labor unions argue that they are already facing substantial burdens, and the introduction of this new VAT on electricity will further exacerbate their financial challenges.

During crucial meeting on Friday, February 2, the General Secretary of TUC, Dr Anthony Yaw Baah, said “The VAT that the government has imposed that electricity on consumers. We have expected to pay.

"We have agreed not to pay, so we gave the government until 31[January] to implement changes. If they don’t change we mentioned that we will decide on what to do. Now we have decided to demonstrate on the 13th of February in all regional capitals."

"Ghana workers, both formal and informal, in both the public and private sector, have decided to demonstrate in all regional capitals. From Accra to Bolgatanga.”

Dr. Baah emphasized that if the government does not reconsider its decision to implement a 15 percent VAT on electricity or engage in negotiations with them before Tuesday, the organized labor, including the Trades Union Congress (TUC), intends to proceed with the planned demonstration.

“If the government does not want us to embark on the demonstration, they should withdraw the letter, and if we don’t hear anything before Tuesday, February 13, we will demonstrate.

“The demonstration is to show the government that we will not pay [the VAT]. The country is ours and we say we don’t agree to pay VAT,” he added.

The VAT is yet to be implemented due to some technical challenges sighted by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

Earlier, the Finance Ministry revealed its intention to hold comprehensive meetings with Organised Labour and other crucial stakeholders in the upcoming weeks to incorporate their input into the decision-making process.

The introduction of the 15% VAT on electricity comes at a time when consumers have experienced continues rise in electricity tariff in 2023 by the Public Utilities Regulations Commission (PURC).