The debate over utility costs took centre stage in Ho as the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) held its third regional public hearing on the 2025–2030 Multi-Year Tariff Order Review. The session brought together utility providers, civil society groups, and consumers, sparking heated exchanges over proposed tariff hikes that many say could deepen the economic hardships facing Ghanaians.

Utility companies, including the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), GRIDCo, Ghana Water Limited (GWL), and the Volta River Authority (VRA), defended their requests for significant tariff adjustments, citing operational challenges and the need to sustain service delivery.

Chairperson of PURC’s Stakeholder Committee, Nana Yaa Jantuah, explained that the hearing was not about imposing tariffs but about accountability and dialogue.

“These are only proposals for now. The PURC will sit with the utilities and factor in whatever they have heard from the public before arriving at a decision,” she clarified.

ECG Cites Bushfire Losses

The ECG painted a grim picture of recurring losses due to bushfires in the Volta Region. According to the Regional General Manager, Christina Jatoe-Kaleo, over 300 high-tension and low-tension poles valued at around GH¢8,000 each were destroyed between 2023 and 2024.

She appealed to communities and traditional leaders to support efforts to curb bushfires, warning that such destruction undermines investments and reliable power supply.

Ghana Water Raises Alarm Over Sand Mining

On the waterfront, Ghana Water Limited commended the Volta Region for its relatively clean water bodies but warned of rising turbidity levels caused by unchecked sand mining.

Chief Manager for Corporate Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation, Michael Tawiah Klutse, cautioned that if the trend continues, water treatment costs could escalate sharply.

“If care is not taken, the turbidity level will rise to 50,000 and above, forcing us to add more coagulants in the treatment process for the Volta Region,” he said.

Proposed Tariffs Stir Public Anxiety

The proposals tabled at the Ho hearing were as follows:

GRIDCo: Increase from 7.29 pesewas to 12.98 pesewas per kWh (77.9% rise)

VRA: 71.89 pesewas per kWh

ECG: 64.64 pesewas per kWh, representing a 225% increase

Ghana Water Limited (GWL): From GH¢5.28 to GH¢20.09 in 2025

The figures triggered concerns among participants, with many questioning whether ordinary households and businesses could bear such steep costs in the current economic climate.

Balancing Act Ahead

While utilities argued the increases are critical to sustaining infrastructure and service quality, many consumers insisted affordability must take precedence.

The PURC assured that all feedback gathered from the hearings would form part of its final tariff determination, stressing that its mandate is to balance the survival of service providers with the welfare of consumers.