Power minister backs utility prices hikes

This follows public uproar against proposed tariff increments tabled by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Volta River Authority (VRA).

The two companies are proposing a more than 100 percent increment in tariffs for 2015.

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) wants the current tariff of 16pesewas per unit to be increased to 35pesewas, while the Volta River Authority (VRA) has tabled an increase from 15pesewas to 30pesewas per unit.

Meanwhile the Ashanti, Northern and Eastern regions have kicked against the proposed increments following consultative meetings organized by the Public Utility Regulatory Commission in those regions.

Delivering the Keynote address at the Powering Africa Investment summit in Accra, the Minister of power Dr.kwabena Donkor said government was ready to take the tough decisions.

he lamented.

According to him Ghanaians have paid lower tariffs as compared to what is prevalent in the sub region in the past because of the benefit of “Legacy Hydro, but “unfortunately as demand expand by about 12% per annum ,the role of legacy hydro diminishes and tariffs must now reflect the actual cost of service.

Dr. Donkor stressed.