By Amoako Kwame
The Member of Parliament for Akuapim North, Sammi Awuku, has criticised the latest upward adjustment in electricity and water tariffs, arguing that the increases are difficult to justify at a time when the government continues to project an improving economy.
The new utility rates, which took effect on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, have sparked renewed debate over the rising cost of living. Under the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) third-quarter tariff review, electricity tariffs increased by 3.49 per cent, while water tariffs went up by 0.85 per cent.
Reacting in a Facebook post on Wednesday, Mr Awuku said the latest adjustment places additional financial pressure on households and businesses already grappling with the effects of recent flooding, intermittent power outages and rising living costs.
He described it as ironic that Republic Day, a national occasion marking Ghana’s transition to a republic and symbolising freedom, resilience and self-determination, would coincide with another increase in utility charges.
“How much more are Ghanaians expected to endure?” the Akuapim North legislator asked.
Mr Awuku argued that July 1 would be remembered not only as Republic Day, but also as the date of what he described as the fifth utility tariff increase introduced under the current administration within 18 months.
According to him, many citizens were still recovering from the impact of recent floods and persistent electricity interruptions when they were confronted with higher utility bills.
“Just when people are struggling to recover, they are being told to dig deeper into their pockets once again,” he said.
The MP also outlined what he described as a pattern of tariff increases since the current government assumed office. He cited a 14.75 per cent rise in electricity tariffs and a 4.02 per cent increase in water tariffs in May 2025, followed by a 2.45 per cent electricity tariff adjustment in July 2025 and another 1.14 per cent increase in October 2025.
He further noted that electricity tariffs were raised by 9.86 per cent in January 2026, alongside a 15.92 per cent increase in water tariffs, before the latest July 1 review added another 3.49 per cent to electricity tariffs and 0.85 per cent to water charges.
Mr Awuku questioned the government’s economic messaging, arguing that repeated tariff adjustments appear inconsistent with official claims of easing inflation and a stronger Ghana cedi.
“Yet this is the same government that keeps telling us inflation is down and the cedi is stronger. If the economy is doing so well, why are the bills of ordinary Ghanaians getting heavier with almost every tariff review?” he asked.
He stressed that the burden of the increases falls directly on ordinary citizens and small business owners, including market women, barbers, cold store operators, hairdressers, welders, teachers and young entrepreneurs.
“The market woman doesn’t pay her bills with inflation figures. The barber doesn’t pay his ECG bill with exchange rate statistics. The cold store owner, the hairdresser, the welder, the teacher, the young entrepreneur and the ordinary family all pay from their pockets,” he said.
Mr Awuku maintained that despite assurances of economic relief, many Ghanaians continue to experience rising utility costs.
“At a time when many are dealing with the effects of floods, recurring power outages and an ever-rising cost of living, the last thing they need is another increase in electricity and water bills.
“Ghanaians were promised relief. What they are experiencing instead is one increase after another. Enough is enough,” he said.