Presidential Staffer and former Public Relations and External Affairs Director of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), Nana Yaa Jantuah, has explained that the recent utility tariff increases are meant to support revenue mobilization, not to pay off existing debts.
This follows PURC’s announcement of a 14.75% increase in average end-user electricity tariffs and a 4.02% rise in water tariffs across all consumer categories.
The adjustments fall under the Commission’s quarterly tariff review process for the first and second quarters of 2025.
According to the commission, the hike was prompted by factors such as exchange rate volatility, inflation, and fluctuations in gas prices.
Speaking on on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem morning show, Nana Yaa Jantuah clarified that the tariff adjustments were crucial to meet the operational needs of utility providers.
“What we are looking at right now are the revenue requirements for the utilities — the money they need to run their daily activities. The new tariff increase is not for debt payment but for revenue,” she explained.
While the adjustment won’t directly address debt repayment, she highlighted that it would help improve service delivery and reduce the outstanding debts of utility companies by about 50%.
Nana Yaa Jantuah further noted that some tariff adjustments were delayed earlier in the year due to transition challenges, making this increase necessary for maintaining functional and responsive utility services.
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