If the economy is doing so well, why burden Ghanaians with heavier tariff — Sammi Awuku quizzes govt

Member of Parliament for Akuapim North, Sammi Awuku, has questioned the government's decision to increase electricity and water tariffs despite its repeated assurances that the economy is improving.

According to him, if inflation is declining and the Ghana cedi has strengthened as government claims, there is no justification for imposing higher utility costs on Ghanaians.

His comments follow the implementation of new electricity and water tariffs on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

Under the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission's third quarter tariff review, electricity tariffs have been increased by 3.49 percent across the board, while water tariffs have gone up by 0.85 percent.

In a Facebook post, Mr Awuku described the latest adjustment as an additional burden on households and businesses already struggling with the effects of recent flooding, recurring power outages and the rising cost of living.

"How much more are Ghanaians expected to endure?" he asked.

The Akuapim North MP noted that while July 1 marks Republic Day, a day that symbolises Ghana's freedom, resilience and self determination, many citizens would instead remember it as the day another round of utility tariff increases took effect.

He argued that the latest adjustment marks the fifth utility tariff increase under the current administration within 18 months.

According to Mr Awuku, Ghanaians were still recovering from the impact of recent floods and persistent power outages when they were confronted with another increase in electricity and water bills.

"Just when people are struggling to recover, they are being told to dig deeper into their pockets once again," he said.

The legislator also outlined previous tariff adjustments introduced under the current administration, citing a 14.75 percent increase in electricity tariffs and a 4.02 percent increase in water tariffs in May 2025.

He noted that electricity tariffs were increased again by 2.45 percent in July 2025 and by a further 1.14 percent in October 2025.

He further recalled that the January 2026 tariff review resulted in a 9.86 percent increase in electricity tariffs and a 15.92 percent increase in water tariffs before the latest July 1 adjustments of 3.49 percent for electricity and 0.85 percent for water.

Mr Awuku questioned what he described as contradictions in the government's economic narrative.

"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 said the increases would be felt most by ordinary workers and small business owners, including market women, barbers, cold store operators, hairdressers, welders, teachers, young entrepreneurs and families.

"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 with money from their pockets," he stated.

Mr Awuku maintained that instead of the relief promised by the government, Ghanaians have continued to face repeated increases in the cost of essential services.

"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.