The Minority in Parliament has raised concerns over the planned increase in utility tariffs set to take effect on July 1, 2026, warning that the adjustment could weaken government efforts to implement its 24-hour economy policy.
According to the caucus, the proposed 3.49 percent increase in electricity tariffs and 0.85 percent rise in water tariffs will add to the cost pressures faced by businesses and consumers at a time when the economy is already under strain.
Addressing journalists on Thursday, June 25, the Deputy Ranking Member on the Energy Committee, Collins Adomako-Mensah, said the tariff adjustments would further increase the cost of doing business and reduce the competitiveness of local industries.
He argued that manufacturers, processors, and small and medium-sized enterprises are already operating under high utility costs compared to regional peers, making any additional increases particularly damaging to productivity and growth.
Mr Adomako-Mensah warned that the rising cost of electricity could negatively affect the viability of the government’s 24-hour economy initiative, which relies heavily on continuous industrial operations and expanded job creation.
He stressed that higher energy costs could discourage factories from operating round-the-clock, thereby undermining the policy’s intended impact on employment and economic expansion.
The Minority further criticised the government, claiming that electricity tariffs have increased by 26.82 percent since the current administration took office in January 2025.
It also compared the tariff increases to wage adjustments, arguing that workers have received salary increments that fall far below the rising cost of utilities, thereby reducing real income levels and purchasing power.
The caucus maintained that without urgent measures to stabilise utility costs, Ghana’s industrial competitiveness and cost of living situation could deteriorate further, affecting both businesses and households nationwide.
