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Purc announces electricity tariff increase by 1.14 percent, water tariffs remain unchanged
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has announced a 1.14 percent increase in electricity tariffs for all customer groups, effective October 1, 2025.
However, water tariffs will remain the same.
In a facebook post, the Commission said the decision followed its regular quarterly review of tariffs.
The review takes into account factors beyond the control of the utility companies, such as the exchange rate between the Ghana cedi and the US dollar, domestic inflation, the cost of natural gas and other fuels, and the balance between hydro and thermal power generation.
PURC explained that the increase is necessary to maintain the real value of tariffs and keep electricity providers financially stable so they can continue delivering services.
For the fourth quarter of 2025, the Commission used a projected exchange rate of GHS12.37 to the US dollar, an annual average inflation rate of 12.43 percent, and a weighted average cost of gas of USD 7.71 per MMBtu.
The generation mix is expected to remain at 28.80 percent hydro and 71.20 percent thermal power.
The new rates mean that residential lifeline customers who consume up to 30 kilowatt-hours of electricity a month will now pay 80.4 pesewas per kilowatt-hour, up from 79.5 pesewas.
Other categories of customers will see similar small increases. Service charges remain the same.
Water tariffs, however, will not change. Customers in all water-use categories will continue to pay the existing rates.
The Commission mentioned that it will continue to monitor the operations of utility providers and hold them to its standards to ensure value for money and better service delivery.
The decision will be published in the official gazette and can be accessed on the PURC website.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Minority in Parliament has strongly objected to any planned merger or partnership between the government and Telecel, describing the deal as “technically, operationally, and financially unconscionable.”
Ranking Member on the Communications Committee, Matthew Nyindam, raised the concern during a media briefing in Parliament.
He questioned why both the Minister of Communications and Telecel would publicly announce a merger and then suddenly go silent on the matter.
“We object to any deal with Telecel by way of merger, absorption, or acquisition. This is a scheme to dispose of a national asset to fill private pockets,” Mr. Nyindam stated.
He argued that Telecel has not demonstrated any special technical or operational expertise that staff and management of AT (formerly AirtelTigo) do not already possess.
According to him, Telecel had earlier promised to invest $500 million after acquiring Vodafone Ghana but failed to do so, a situation he fears could repeat itself if the government allows another deal.
Mr. Nyindam claimed that Telecel was already indebted to the tune of $400 million, adding that the company only seeks to benefit from AT’s over three million customers to expand its own base without making any real investment.
“The government must not surrender the capacity of a state-owned company to a private entity through majority ownership. There is no clear plan to protect the jobs and livelihoods of thousands of workers,” he stressed.
The Minority Caucus is therefore calling on the government to halt any discussions or agreements with Telecel regarding the proposed merger, insisting that the deal is not in the national interest.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has suspended all fines issued by its Compliance Team on the country’s roads, effective Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Authority explained that the suspension follows feedback from the public and further consultations with stakeholders.
The Compliance Team’s enforcement exercise, which had been intensified in recent weeks, was aimed at ensuring that drivers and vehicles met all legal requirements before operating on the road.
However, the DVLA said it was pausing the activity to allow for more engagement and public education on the exercise before it is reintroduced.
While assuring the public of its commitment to promoting safety and compliance, the Authority emphasized that the suspension only affects the fines and charges being enforced by the Compliance Team.
It added that all legal requirements for drivers and vehicles to operate on Ghana’s roads remain in force.
By: Jacob Aggrey
