GUTA Demands PURC Freeze July 2026 Utility Tariff Hikes, Says Reasons “Untenable”

The Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA) has asked the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to suspend its planned utility tariff increases immediately.

The call comes after PURC on Monday, 22nd June 2026, announced new rates set to begin 1st July 2026. Under the third-quarter review, electricity tariffs will go up 3.49% across all consumer categories, while water tariffs will rise 0.85%.

In a statement released Wednesday, 24th June, GUTA pushed back on the Commission’s rationale, calling the justifications weak and repetitive.

*GUTA disputes PURC’s factors*

PURC cited exchange rate shifts, inflation, fuel costs, and generation mix as reasons for the adjustment. GUTA rejected all four.

The Association argued that the cedi’s 4.18% depreciation between April and May was “insignificant” and should not trigger higher tariffs. It also described the inflation uptick from 3.4% in April to 3.7% in May as “minimal.”

On fuel, GUTA noted that prices actually fell in the second pricing window of June. Petrol dropped 9.3% and diesel fell 1.7%, undercutting PURC’s cost claims.

GUTA further stated there are no problems with the generation mix. “All the machines are working,” the statement said.

*“No justification”*

Based on those points, GUTA concluded that PURC lacks grounds for the increase.

“The cedi indeed depreciated by an average of 4.18% between April and May, but this depreciation is insignificant, which does not call for any increment,” GUTA said.

“Inflation just rose from 3.4% in April to 3.7% in May, which is also minimal. Regarding fuel prices, they fell in the second pricing window in June. Petrol fell by 9.3% and diesel by 1.7%. On the issue of Generation Mix, there is no problem, as all the machines are working. PURC has no justification for this tariff increment.”

GUTA is urging the Commission to halt the July 1 implementation pending further engagement.