The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has refused an invitation from the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to attend a public hearing on proposed adjustments to utility tariffs for 2025–2029, arguing that such a discussion is unnecessary given the current financial strain on Ghanaian households.
The invitation, dated September 9, 2025, requested the participation of the NPP and other stakeholders to review tariff proposals submitted by regulated utility companies, including the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Volta River Authority (VRA), and Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo).
In a statement released on Monday, October 6, 2025, and signed by the party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, the NPP criticized the government for burdening citizens with new taxes, particularly the controversial energy sector levy, popularly known as the “Dumsor Levy,” which reportedly generates over GH¢575 million each month.
“The NPP shall not attend the said stakeholder engagements because the Party does not see any justification for any engagement on possible utility tariff increment at this moment when Ghanaians are already overburdened by rising cost of living occasioned largely by government’s introduction of new taxes including the new energy sector levy popularly known as ‘Dumsor Levy’,” the statement read.
The party further urged that the revenue from the Dumsor Levy be redirected to support the operations of the ECG, VRA, and GRIDCo, rather than imposing additional financial burdens on citizens.
Rejecting claims that the proposed tariff hikes are tied to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program, the NPP noted that the current IMF arrangement concludes in 2026, while the proposed tariff increases would only take effect from 2026 to 2029.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the current IMF programme is scheduled to end next year (2026), but the proposed astronomical increment in tariffs is expected to take effect from 2026 to 2029.
From all indications, what is not in doubt is that Ghanaians are being unduly levied to pay for government’s incompetence in the management of these regulated utilities companies. This, the NPP finds, UNACCEPTABLE and will use all legitimate means to fight any such attempt to slap Ghanaians with these imminent astronomical increases in utility tariffs,” the statement added.
Below is a copy of the statement
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
