Three major business associations the Food and Beverages Association of Ghana (FABAG), the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), and the Ghana Plastic Manufacturers Association—have strongly criticized the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission’s (PURC) plan to raise electricity tariffs next year.
In a joint statement, they described the move as harmful to economic growth and detrimental to local industries.
The groups argue that continuous hikes in electricity costs are stifling businesses, discouraging investment, and pushing some companies to scale down or shut down entirely. They claim the pricing system is unfair, rewarding inefficiency while penalizing honest consumers, and fostering illegal power connections due to unaffordable bills.
FABAG emphasized that the current structure disproportionately affects energy-heavy sectors like manufacturing and agribusiness, undermining Ghana’s industrialization goals and making imported goods more attractive than local products. They called for urgent reforms, including an independent audit of power sector costs, a transparent pricing model that promotes efficiency, and measures to support struggling businesses.
The associations also demanded stronger action against corruption and waste within the utilities sector, warning that higher tariffs alone won’t solve systemic issues. They urged President Nana Akufo-Addo and PURC to adopt policies that empower businesses rather than burden them.
Author: Jasmine Adjei
Development journalist
