The Ghana Union of Traders’ Association (GUTA) has issued a scathing critique of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) following the announcement of new utility tariff increases.
The Commission’s decision, which will see electricity tariffs rise by 14.75% and water charges by 4.02% effective May 3, 2025, has been described by GUTA as unjustified and disconnected from the current economic realities facing Ghanaian businesses and households.
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In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Alpha A. Shaban, GUTA said the reasons provided by PURC “do not hold water,” and called for a deeper probe into inefficiencies plaguing the utility sector.
“We appreciate the fact that life is not static, changes are inevitable when they are necessary but not at the whim of any particular body,” the statement read.
GUTA identified numerous structural flaws in the management of utilities, which they argue have led to unnecessary financial burdens on consumers. These include inflated procurement costs, poor debt recovery systems—especially from state institutions—and illegal connections, all contributing to mounting inefficiencies.
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The association further criticized the PURC for failing to rigorously monitor and evaluate the operations of utility providers.
“There is a failure… to ensure value for money and protect the public purse against corruption,” the statement said, warning that public funds are being funneled into private pockets due to weak oversight.
GUTA also referenced the unresolved issue of over 1,000 missing Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) containers, some of which were reportedly intercepted in the Central Region and others found within private premises in Tema, as evidence of systemic problems within the utility sector.
Calling for accountability and reforms, GUTA urged the PURC to focus on addressing the root causes of wastage and corruption rather than imposing additional financial pressures on consumers.
“If indeed the PURC is strict on management… most of the wastages due to combination of factors, including stealing and corruption, would have been halted
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Read GUTA’s full statement below:
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