The soon-to-be rolled-out hike in tariffs for water and electricity on September 1, 2022, has sparked missed feelings among some residents living in Cape Coast in the central region.
Most residents who spoke to ATLFMNEWS expressed their dire dissatisfaction with the current government administration over what some described as the ‘suffering status of Ghana’s economy.’
Many of them lamented the high standard of living due to the introduction of the electronic levy, consistent increase in prices of fuel and food staff, among others. The latest to be added to the list is the increase in public utilities which sparked outrage among the residents.
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) earlier this week, announced a 27.15% hike in tariff for electricity and a 21.55% hike in water tariff effective September 1, 2022.
Read: PURC announces increase in electricity and water tariffs
PURC however gave assurance that they will continually monitor the activities and operations of the utility service providers to ensure that they provide value for money.
However, some residents in Cape Coast have expressed their concerns over this new development.
One resident said “what is happening in this very country is not good at all. We are suffering, more suffering, e-levy, petrol increment, and others yet they still want to increase water and light. No, it’s not fair”
Another said “every time they increase things whether is light or water or any other thing. So we are in a fix as to what is happening in Ghana. They must tell us the truth and we must all bear the pain.”
“The increase in electricity and water tariff will affect everything including production,” said another resident.
One resident was of the view that since “government workers have been given 15% COLA, those with the boards and corporation will also have to enjoy it because we all to go the market to buy. Therefore, there’s justification in the increase to the tariff.”
But a Professor in Finance and Entrepreneurship at the University of Cape Coasts’ School of Business, Professor Daniel Adjapong believes Ghanaians can survive amidst the increments in utility tariffs if they practice safe consumption habits.
“When we come to the consumer from the sustainable development goals, we continuously talk about sustainable energy use. So, we need to now change our attitude and change the way we use some of these resources. It moves beyond the cost issues,” he said.
To him, individuals can store more rainwater and use wells instead of pipe-born water to save cost. He further suggested bulk ironing and judicious use of electricity in households.
He added saying “can we buy efficient electronic equipment, those that do not often consume energy excessively; then we are good citizens of this country, we know the people who engage in illegal connections in our households, can we please continue to even report these people.”
He also urged the ECG and the Ghana Water Company Limited to ensure that they deal with issues of leakages and wastage as they receive increments in their respective tariffs.
Source: Rosemond Asmah/ATLFMNEWS
