The Ghana Union of Traders' Associations (GUTA) has called on the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to suspend its planned utility tariff increase scheduled to take effect on 1 July 2026.

In a press statement issued on 24 June 2026, GUTA said the reasons cited by PURC to justify the increase do not warrant an upward adjustment in utility tariffs.

According to the association, PURC attributed the tariff increase to exchange rate fluctuations, inflation, fuel costs and the generation mix.

However, GUTA argued that recent economic indicators do not support the proposed adjustment.

The association noted that the Ghana cedi depreciated by an average of 4.18 per cent between April and May but described the depreciation as insignificant and insufficient to justify a tariff increase.

GUTA also pointed to inflation figures, stating that the rate increased from 3.4 per cent in April to 3.7 per cent in May, which it said represented only a marginal rise.

On fuel prices, the association said prices declined during the second pricing window in June, with petrol prices falling by 9.3 per cent and diesel prices by 1.7 per cent.

Regarding the generation mix, GUTA maintained that there was no challenge that would warrant a tariff adjustment, stating that all generation facilities were operational.

The association warned that implementing the tariff increase would raise production costs for manufacturers and businesses, which could ultimately result in higher prices for goods and services.

GUTA further urged PURC to focus on addressing inefficiencies and waste within utility companies to improve revenue generation rather than relying on tariff increases.

The association therefore called on the regulator to halt the implementation of the planned tariff adjustment.

The statement was signed by the President of GUTA, Clement Boateng.