New electricity and water tariffs have officially taken effect across Ghana from today, January 1, 2026, increasing utility costs for households and businesses nationwide.

According to the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), electricity tariffs have been increased by 9.86 per cent for all customer categories, while water tariffs have gone up by 15.92 per cent for all customer classes.

The adjustments form part of a major multi-year tariff review covering the period from 2026 to 2030, which the regulator says is intended to ensure cost recovery and sustain the operations of utility service providers.

However, the announcement and subsequent implementation of the 2026 tariff increases sparked significant backlash from labour unions and business associations, particularly over the timing of the hikes in relation to recent wage adjustments.

Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Joshua Ansah, strongly criticised the decision, describing it as “robbing the poor Ghanaian worker,” and warned of possible labour mobilisation if government fails to return to the negotiating table to further increase wages for 2026.

He argued that the tariff hikes risk eroding recent wage gains and worsening the cost-of-living pressures faced by workers.

The Minority in Parliament also rejected the increments, and called for their immediate reversal.

Led by Ranking Member George Kwame Aboagye, the Minority described the increases as punitive and an “unacceptable shock” to an already struggling economy.

Some critics also argued that higher utility prices could place additional strain on households and businesses.