Manhyia South Member of Parliament, Hon. Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, has renewed his call for PURC to suspend recent electricity tariff adjustments, citing ongoing irregular power supply as grounds for reconsideration.
Speaking out on behalf of burdened consumers, the MP described the May 3, 2025, tariff increase by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) as both untimely and unfair in the current context of widespread blackouts.
“All I’m saying is that in the interest of fairness and equity, it will not be good to overburden consumers with the tariff adjustment in the light of the current widespread erratic power supply.”
Hon. Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah
The PURC announced the latest adjustment to electricity tariffs at the start of May, arguing that it was necessary to account for rising operational costs and energy sector challenges.
However, Baffour Awuah insisted the timing is flawed, especially when many Ghanaians are experiencing frequent outages, otherwise known locally as “dumsor.”
“You cannot adjust where the person is not getting the power. Put yourself in the shoes of the consumer. In the absence of a regular power supply, what’s going to happen is you’re going to fall on generators to support yourself. That is going to come at a significant cost to the businessman.”
Hon. Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah
He further contended that maintaining the new tariff rates amid ongoing power disruptions sends the wrong message to the public.
In his view, unless the PURC reconsiders or halts the recent increase, it risks creating the perception that the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is capitalizing on the very hardship that consumers are being forced to endure.
At a time when people are already facing unreliable electricity and are burdened with additional costs from using backup power sources, the tariff hike, he suggested, could be interpreted as ECG reaping financial gain while offering little in return in terms of stable service.
MP Advises Electricity Tariff Match Productivity
Furthermore, Hon. Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah stressed that any increase in electricity tariffs must be justified by corresponding improvements in productivity and service reliability.
He questioned the rationale behind raising rates when consumers are not receiving a consistent power supply.
In his view, the Electricity Company of Ghana’s operational inefficiencies and mounting debt cannot be legitimate grounds to shift the financial burden onto consumers who are already grappling with irregular service and rising energy costs.
“We are only saying that in the spirit of fairness. You are saying that ECG is already overburdened with debt. Overburdened with debt as a result of what? As a result of the consumer paying unrealistic fees or charges, or because they themselves are not managing things well?”
Hon. Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah
Baffour Awuah also questioned the Electricity Company of Ghana’s (ECG) operational efficiency, highlighting its challenge with “under-recovery”—a shortfall in revenue collection relative to energy supplied.
He argued that this financial gap is an internal management issue that should not be used as a justification to impose steep tariff increases on consumers.
In his view, it is unfair for consumers to shoulder the consequences of ECG’s financial and administrative shortcomings.
Consumers Face Double Trouble
Hon. Baffour Awuah further acknowledged that tariff reviews may follow a routine schedule, but insisted that the unique circumstances currently affecting the power sector—particularly the erratic electricity supply and increased dependence on expensive backup systems—call for a more measured and compassionate response.
The MP stressed that these realities should prompt regulators to reconsider the burden placed on consumers.
In his remarks, he underscored the mounting economic pressure being faced by both everyday Ghanaians and business owners, who are struggling to stay afloat amid unreliable power and rising operational costs.
“The consumer is overburdened, in the sense that the consumer is not enjoying the power which they pay more for, and the consumer is also looking for an alternative power supply, which is costly, and so it’s more of a double jeopardy situation.”
Hon. Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah
His call comes as businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises, report increased operational expenses due to the need for fuel to power generators. Households, too, have expressed frustration with having to pay more for electricity they rarely receive consistently.
The MP’s position highlights growing discontent with energy policy and regulation in the country.
With the PURC facing scrutiny from consumers, advocacy groups, and now lawmakers, pressure is mounting on the commission to reconsider how and when it enforces tariff changes, especially in times of power sector instability.
Meanwhile, the ongoing debate over electricity tariffs and service delivery is expected to continue drawing public and political attention.
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