Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah Esq., has called for the immediate suspension of the recently announced 14.75% increase in electricity tariffs, scheduled to take effect on May 3, 2025.
In a letter addressed to Dr. Shafic Syleman, Executive Secretary of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), the MP described the tariff hike as “unjust, unfair, and unreasonable,” particularly in light of the persistent power outages plaguing the country.
He argued that it was fundamentally wrong for consumers to be charged more for electricity when supply remains unreliable, stating that such a move contradicts the principle of value-for-service.
Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah urged the PURC to reconsider its decision, citing Section 3(d) of Act 538, which mandates the Commission to safeguard the interests of both utility service consumers and providers.
The MP also raised concerns about the Commission’s lack of communication regarding the ongoing power challenges, questioning its transparency and responsiveness as a regulatory body.
He emphasised that while ensuring the financial viability of utility providers is important, it should not come at the expense of service quality, which he said has “demonstrably declined.”