A cross-session of Ghanaians have expressed their displeasure towards Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) describing the recent increment as insensitive to their plight.
According to them, the current economic challenges coupled with job losses and global economic trends should have informed these utility companies to delay their increment because it will not help citizens and the country in general.
Expressing their frustrations, some industry players in the production sector have lamented that the current increment will lead to an increase in production cost, job losses and eventually collapse of the business.
Statistics available to the Republic Press indicate that from September 2022 to the second week of January 2023, electricity alone has increased by 56%. In September last year, ECG increased their tariffs by 26% and in less than five months, the company has increased to another 29%.
On the water, within a space of one year, GWCL has also increased their tariff to 48%, a situation some Ghanaians say is hurting their finances.
Among Ghanaians calling for scrutiny on activities of these utility tariffs are the former President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr. Roland Affail Monney, who charged journalists to put the spotlight on ECG and GWCL to ensure value for money.
His call comes follows a press release from the Public Utilities and Regulatory Commission (PURC) on an increment in electricity and water tariffs.
Speaking on Joy News’ AM Show, Tuesday 17, 2023, he said this will “ensure that we see tangible improvement in their services.”
“Light off is a daily occurrence and many are consumers who are dissatisfied with the service of the Electricity Company of Ghana. So, if this tariff adjustment will bring about a qualitative improvement in their services, so be it.
“Otherwise, we should hold them accountable to justify this adjustment at this time when the cost of living is taking a bite at everybody,” he advised.
He added, “In the name of comprehensive journalism, once these tariffs are announced put your spotlight on these two institutions.”
PURC announced on January 17, 2023, that electricity tariffs will be increased by 29.96% and water tariffs by 8.3% for the average end-user tariff across all consumer groups.
The new rates, they say take effect from February 1, 2023.
