Some business operators in Wa have expressed worry about the proposed increment in Electricity tariffs, as that will adversely affect their business.
They said the COVID-19 had a great toll on their business, and said the increment in electricity will worsen the situation.
The business operators whose work depend on electricity told Info Radio in an interview that increasing electricity will in turn lead to an increase in the finish product.
According to Mr Imoro Seidu, a sawmill operator said he currently buys about GHC400 worth of electricity a month and wondered how much he will be require to buy after the increment.
Mr Hamid Muntari, who also operates a welding and fabrication shop, said they are already suffering with high prices of raw materials for production, and that buying electricity at high prices would further impact their business negatively.
Mr Muntari said the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the rate at which his product are sold, which has also affected his financial status.
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) proposes an increment in electricity tariffs as it says that it needs more funds to enable it operate efficiently, pending approval from the Public Utilities and Regulatory Commission (PURC).
The proposal receives mixed reactions by sections of the Ghanaian public as they fear it may increase, to unbearable levels, cost of living.
Currently, lifeline consumers who are classified as poor and low-income earners pay GHS16 for the power consumed and extra GHS2.13 as service charge, making it a total of about GHS18.
Meanwhile, the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC) confirmed it has received proposals from both the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Ghana Water Company (GWCL) for a possible increase in utility tariffs in the country.
PURC says the two utility companies have both made a strong case for a new tariff regime that will cover their operational cost.