The Brong Ahafo Businesses Coalition (BABC) has strongly condemned the recent utility tariff increases announced by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), set to take effect on May 3, 2025.
The coalition, which represents small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), argues that the 14.75% increase in electricity tariffs and 4.02% rise in water tariffs will threaten businesses and livelihoods.
Speaking in an interview , BABC Coordinator Yeboah Mustapha criticized the tariff hike, stating that businesses relying on electricity are struggling due to unstable power supply.
“The lights are not even stable, businesses that run with electricity are also not progressing”.
He further warned that the increase in water tariffs would hurt water-dependent businesses, such as hairdressing salons and food vendors, leading to higher costs for consumers.
“A 4.02% rise in water tariffs? This will definitely affect water-reliant services like hairdressing salons and food vendors, leading to increased prices for consumers”.
Mustapha urged the PURC to reconsider its decision and engage in broader consultations with the government and grassroots stakeholders to prevent further economic strain.
“Despite several engagements with ECG officials aimed at resolving this crisis, there has been no meaningful progress”.
The coalition also called on government to prioritize policies that support livelihoods, warning that failure to do so could lead to public demonstrations.
With SMEs already grappling with inflation and currency instability, the BABC insists that the tariff hike will worsen the cost-of-living crisis and discourage youth entrepreneurship.
