NDC promised to ease cost of living yet increasing utility tariff — Kofi Tonto

Political Aide to the 2028 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Kofi Tonto, has criticised the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government over the latest increase in utility tariffs.

The criticism follows the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission's (PURC) announcement of new electricity and water tariff adjustments which are expected to take effect from July 1.

Under the revised rates, electricity tariffs will increase by 3.49 per cent across all customer categories, while water tariffs will go up by 0.85 per cent.

PURC explained that the quarterly review considered factors such as inflation, exchange rate movements, electricity generation mix and the cost of natural gas used for power generation.

Reacting to the development in a social media post on Tuesday, June 23, Tonto argued that the tariff adjustment contradicts the promises made by the NDC ahead of the 2024 general elections.

"The NDC promised a relief-focused agenda (RESET) to ease the cost of living for Ghanaians. Instead, we are met with another round of utility tariff hikes," he stated.

The NPP communicator said the latest increase places an additional burden on households and businesses at a time many Ghanaians continue to grapple with the cost of living.

According to him, the government's approach to economic management is inconsistent with the expectations of voters who supported the party's campaign message.

"When your primary strategy for economic management is to consistently pass the burden onto the pockets of the citizen, you have clearly abandoned the very mandate you were elected to uphold," Mr Tonto said.

PURC, however, maintains that the tariff adjustment forms part of its quarterly review mechanism aimed at preserving the real value of tariffs and ensuring the financial sustainability of utility providers.

The Commission said it considered a weighted average exchange rate of GH¢11.2228 to one US dollar, a three-month average inflation rate of 3.43 per cent and changes in the cost of natural gas before approving the adjustments.