NPP rejects PURC invitation on utility tariff review

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has declined an invitation from the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to attend a public hearing on proposed utility tariff adjustments for the 2025–2029 review period.

In a statement issued on Monday, October 6, 2025, and signed by the Party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, the NPP indicated that it saw no justification for any engagement on possible utility tariff increment at this moment when Ghanaians are already overburdened by the rising cost of living.

According to the statement, the invitation, dated September 9, 2025, sought to engage stakeholders on proposals from key regulated utilities, including the Volta River Authority (VRA), GRIDCo, ECG, NEDCo, Ghana Water Limited (GWL), Ghana National Gas Company (GNGC), and Enclave Power Company (EPC).

However, the NPP insists that initiating discussions on potential tariff hikes is needless and insensitive, given the economic hardships already facing citizens, particularly following the introduction of what it calls the “Dumsor Levy.”

“The ‘Dumsor Levy’ alone, which was hurriedly passed by the NDC Majority in Parliament under the cover of darkness, rakes in over GH¢575 million every month and over GH¢5.7 billion annually for the government. We submit that part of this money be used to support the operations of the regulated utility companies,” the statement read.

The Party also dismissed claims that the proposed increment is linked to International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditionalities, describing such assertions as “palpably false.”

“For the avoidance of doubt, the current IMF programme is scheduled to end next year (2026), but the proposed astronomical increment in tariffs is expected to take effect from 2026 to 2029,” it added.

The NPP accused the government of mismanaging state-run utilities and burdening citizens with excessive taxes and levies.

“From all indications, what is not in doubt is that Ghanaians are being unduly levied to pay for the government’s incompetence in the management of these regulated utility companies. This, the NPP finds unacceptable and will use all legitimate means to fight any such attempt.”