The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has condemned the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission’s (PURC) announcement of a 9.86% increase in electricity tariffs and a 15.92% hike in water tariffs, set to take effect from January 1, 2026.
The union warned that it would reject the new tariffs unless the government returned to the negotiating table to review the 9% wage adjustments for 2026, cautioning that failure to act could trigger nationwide mobilisation against the new tariffs.
In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Joshua Ansah, on Wednesday, December 3, the TUC said:
“Workers cannot accept these increases unless the government comes back to the negotiating table to top up the wage increase for 2026. Anything short of that, the TUC will mobilise workers to resist the implementation of these insensitive increases in utility prices.”
Describing the hikes as a “New Year’s gift” from the government, the union lamented that they coincide with the recently approved 9% increase in the national minimum wage and base pay.
The TUC argued that the adjustments would erase the gains from the 2026 wage increment, noting that workers were already dissatisfied with the 9% wage increase amid rising living costs. It added that electricity tariffs rose by more than 18% in 2025, despite a 10% wage increase.
According to the union, the new hikes reflect “government’s insensitivity” to the economic hardships facing workers and ordinary Ghanaians, effectively nullifying the 9% wage increase.
The TUC further announced plans to hold a press conference on Monday, December 8, 2025, to outline its next steps in response to what it described as “obnoxious” utility price increases.
The PURC announced the adjustments on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, following its multi-year tariff review covering 2026–2030. Electricity tariffs will rise by 9.86% across all customer categories, while water tariffs will increase by 15.92% over the five-year period.
The Commission said the adjustments are necessary to meet the investment needs of utility providers, maintain industry competitiveness, and safeguard consumer interests.
