The Minority Caucus in Parliament has issued a staunch demand for the government to immediately halt and reverse the recent increases in water and electricity tariffs, vowing to use every parliamentary tool to challenge the decision.
Speaking at a press conference today, Monday, December 8, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Energy Committee, George Kwame Aboagye, asserted that the hikes represent an unacceptable shock to struggling households and businesses, promising the Minority would stand firm with the public.
Mr. Aboagye emphasized that the Minority’s position is definitive and non-negotiable, framing the tariff hikes as an act of exploitation rather than leadership by the government.
The price adjustments, which typically include increases in electricity (ranging around 9%) and water (over 15%), have been heavily criticized for eroding the nominal increase in the 2026 minimum wage.
“Our position remains firm and non-negotiable. These tariff hacks must be reversed immediately and measures must be taken to protect the consumers and sustain businesses.”
He underscored that the public deserves economic stability rather than repeated setbacks:
“Ghanaians deserve relief not repeated shocks. They deserve leadership not exploitation and we as a minority caucus we will continue to hold this government accountable and defend the rights of the people.”
The Ranking Member pledged that the Minority Caucus would not rely solely on public statements but would leverage its legislative powers to demand fairness and accountability from the government regarding utility management.
“We call on the government to immediately halt these incessant increases. The minority stands firmly with Ghanaian workers, households, small businesses and industries struggling to survive.”
Mr. Aboagye specified their strategy:
“We will continue to use every legitimate parliamentary tool to demand fairness, transparency and accountability in the management of the nation’s utilities.”
This parliamentary mobilization could involve motions, urgent questions, or seeking a special debate on the impact and justification for the tariff adjustments, which are implemented by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).
The Minority’s strong stance is driven by the potential economic harm across key segments of the Ghanaian economy:
- Households: The cumulative effect of utility inflation, particularly the average 24% combined increase from water and electricity hikes, significantly reduces the purchasing power of the 9% wage adjustment negotiated for 2026.
- Small Businesses and Industry: Businesses, which face higher commercial rates for utilities, see their operating costs increase, threatening job retention and competitiveness, especially given the current challenges of high interest rates and fluctuating inflation.
The Minority Caucus is positioning itself as the primary defender of the public against what they describe as detrimental economic policies implemented by the ruling administration.
