Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) Unhappy with PURC Tariff Increase
The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) has expressed dissatisfaction with the recent increase in electricity and water tariffs announced by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC). According to the Ashanti Regional Chairman of GUTA, Mr Anthony Oppong, the new tariffs place an unfair burden on local traders and businesses which are already struggling with high operating costs.
He stated that the PURC, as a regulatory body, is supposed to act as a neutral mediator between government agencies and the people, ensuring fairness and preventing financial mismanagement.
However, there is so much waste and inefficiency in the current system, and these costs are unfairly transferred to consumers. The Chairman pointed to inflated government purchases and illegal utility connections as examples of issues that inflate utility expenses. Despite these being systemic problems, it is the ordinary trader and business owner who ends up paying for them.
This situation, according to the Chairman, undermines the government’s ambition of establishing a 24-hour economy. With increasing tariffs, factories, small businesses, and other ventures may struggle to function properly, as utility bills eat into their already limited resources. The result could be price hikes for goods and services and possible layoffs, further worsening unemployment in the country.
GUTA also raised concerns about a lack of representation on the PURC board. The Chairman emphasized that the absence of leaders from the association has contributed to decisions that do not reflect the realities faced by local businesses. GUTA is therefore calling for more thoughtful policymaking to protect the livelihoods of Ghanaian traders.
By: Julia Adu-Mensah
