Reverse Utility Tariff Hike Now! Minority Warns Amidst Extreme Hardship Under Akufo-Addo

The Minority in Parliament is demanding a reversal of the recent hike in electricity and water tariff by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).

“We are of the strongest conviction that Government can and must do something to cushion Ghanaians who are going through unimaginable hardships with ever-worsening poverty levels under the Akufo-Addo/Bawumiah-led government,” the Yapei Kusawgu MP, John Abdulai Jinapor, said in a statement on behalf of the Minority.

“We have also taken note of the government’s announcement that an unexpected windfall of about USD500, 000 from Ghana’s share of petroleum resources was accrued in the 2022 mid-year budget statement. This statement clearly means the government is making huge unanticipated revenues from crude exports hence the need to cushion the suffering masses from these windfalls.”

According to the PURC, the new tariffs to take effect on September 1, 2022, imposes increments of 27.15 percent for electricity and 21.55 percent for water.

Critics, including the Minority, are convinced that the hikes are all due to the Akufo-Addo government’s incompetence which has led to the ever-worsening performance of the economy as reflected on the local currency and inflation rates.

While currently suffering galloping inflation, the cedi is rated as the worst performing in the world.

The cedi has in recent times witnessed a free fall-reaching almost 50% and is currently rated amongst the worst performing currencies in the world.

The Minority noted that these hikes have come at a time that the government has already imposed so many taxes and Ghanaians are reeling under the hardships.