The Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) has called for the immediate suspension of the proposed utility tariff adjustments.

The Chamber urged the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) and the government to adopt a more transparent and equitable process.

In a statement issued by GNCCI's President Stephane Miezan, he expressed concern over new tariff proposals submitted to the PURC by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), and the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL).

According to the statement, ECG is seeking a 225 percent increase in its Distribution Service Charge (DSC1), while NEDCo is requesting a 171 percent rise. GWCL has also proposed a 280 percent increase in water tariffs, citing rising operational costs, foreign exchange pressures, the impact of illegal mining, and the need for financial stability.

The GNCCI noted that the PURC has already implemented successive tariff adjustments that have raised the baseline cost of utilities for businesses.

Electricity tariffs, it said, rose by 3.02 percent in Q3 of 2024, 14.75 percent in Q1/Q2 of 2025, and 2.45 percent in Q3 of 2025. Water tariffs also increased by 1.86 percent in Q3 of 2024 and 4.02 percent in Q1/Q2 of 2025.

“These cumulative adjustments have placed significant strain on businesses, particularly manufacturers, SMEs, and households already facing rising living costs,” the statement said.

The Chamber further argued that the indicators used by ECG and GWCL to justify the proposed increases do not support such adjustments, pointing out that inflation has declined, the cedi has remained relatively stable, and natural gas prices trade between USD 7 and 8.

It stressed that outstanding debts of the utility companies should not be transferred to consumers.

“Repeatedly transferring financial shortfalls directly to businesses is unsustainable,” the statement warned.

The GNCCI maintained that the proposed increments appear to be driven more by institutional inefficiencies than by prevailing economic conditions. It said that regardless of macroeconomic performance, tariff increases continue, raising concerns about fairness, sustainability, and accountability.

“Implementing hikes of this magnitude would increase production costs, reduce competitiveness, erode profitability, and threaten jobs, particularly in manufacturing and agro-processing,” the statement added.

The Chamber also recommended that the Energy Sector Levy be strategically directed to address outstanding obligations.

It further urged Ghana to prioritise investments in solar and other renewable energy sources while intensifying efforts to curb illegal mining (galamsey), which continues to damage water resources and increase treatment costs.

The GNCCI reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement with the PURC, ECG, GWCL, and the Ministry of Energy.

It said the Chamber seeks balanced solutions that ensure the financial sustainability of utilities while protecting businesses and households and safeguarding Ghana’s economic growth.