The Trades Union Congress (TUC) and the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) have reached a mutual understanding on Ghana’s newly announced 2026–2030 Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO), following high-level engagements aimed at balancing worker welfare with the financial sustainability of the energy and water sectors.
The engagements, held on December 11 and December 30, 2025, were convened in response to growing public concern over the latest electricity and water tariff adjustments, which took effect on January 1, 2026. According to the joint statement, discussions focused on “the implications of the tariff adjustments on the living conditions of workers, as well as on electricity stability and investments in the power and water sectors.”
In the statement signed in Accra by Joshua Ansah, Secretary-General of the TUC, and Shafic Suleman, Executive Secretary of the PURC, the Commission reaffirmed its position that reversing the tariff decision would carry serious consequences. The PURC warned that “any reversal of the tariff decision would have significant implications, not only for the Commission’s independence but crucially for the stability of the energy and water sectors and the broader Ghanaian economy.”
The Commission maintained that cost-reflective tariffs are necessary to ensure reliable service delivery, maintain infrastructure, and attract investment into the utilities sector. PURC officials stressed that regulatory certainty is critical to sustaining investor confidence, particularly as Ghana continues reforms aimed at restoring financial health in the power and water sectors.
While holding this position, the regulator acknowledged labour’s concerns. The joint statement noted that “the Commission acknowledged the concerns raised by the TUC and committed to addressing them during the next tariff review window,” offering assurances that affordability considerations remain part of the regulatory process.
The TUC, however, emphasized the immediate impact of the tariff adjustments on workers. The Congress stated that it “will continue to monitor the impact of the tariff adjustments on salaries and wages,” explaining that the outcome of this monitoring exercise “will inform the Congress’s subsequent course of action.”
TUC also indicated plans to engage the government directly on income adequacy. According to the statement, the Congress “shall engage the government on the current wage levels and their impact on the cost-of-living circumstances of the Ghanaian worker,” underscoring concerns that wage growth has not kept pace with rising utility and household costs.
Both institutions highlighted the need for continued collaboration to navigate the new tariff cycle. The engagements, the statement said, highlighted “the importance of continued dialogue and collaboration to ensure that tariff decisions are made in a manner that safeguards electricity stability, improves water access, economic stability, and affordability while addressing the concerns of the Ghanaian worker.”
