Expose!!! IMF behind the “cut-throat” utility tariff adjustments proposals by power producers

Informing picked by Inghananewstoday.com has it that he International Monetary Fund (IMF), is the brain and push behind the “cut-throat” utility tariff adjustments proposals by Ghanaian power producers.

In the past few weeks, utility consumers in Ghana have become apprehensive about the cut-throat” utility tariff adjustments proposals put before the country’s utility regulatory authority, the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) by power producers and distributors.

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is proposing a 225% increase in its Distribution Service Charge, Volta River Authority (VRA) is proposing a 59% increase, Ghana Gas is proposing a 91% increase in its natural gas transmission tariff, and Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) is proposing a 130% increase.

These proposals are currently under review by the PURC. The excuses given by all the institutions are that it can only operate effectively and efficiently when their over the bar prices are approved.

Addressing journalists in faraway Washington, D.C., on Thursday, September 11, 2025, the IMF’s Director of Communications, Julie Kozack, the brain behind such unholy price hike, says it support the proposed utility tariff adjustments by the various power producers, describing the proposals as vital to fixing inefficiencies and attracting investment into the country’s electricity sector.

The IMF’s Director of Communications, said her outfit’s backing is linked to the broader goal of restoring financial stability in the country’s energy sector.

“What is essential from our perspective is that any tariff adjustments in the electricity sector aim to address longstanding inefficiencies in the sector, importantly, that they support much-needed investment in the electricity sector, and also that they are aimed at preventing the accumulation of arrears in the energy sector,” she explained.

According to Ms. Kozack Fund’s support goes beyond tariff reviews. “More generally we are continuing to support broader sector reforms including private sector participation in ECG operations,” she noted.

She pointed out that the reforms are part of ongoing efforts to improve the performance of state-owned enterprises and reduce fiscal risks.

But some utility consumers interviewed by our Reporter debunked the excuses given by all the institutions, stating that they are fed-up with paying for the inefficiencies of the power producers and distributors.

“We’re always burdened by the inefficiencies of institutions. Check from the past increments and see if something good came out of it. These guys need to sit up and find a better way to come out of their inefficiencies rather than always asking us to pay more for what we didn’t cause,” one utility consumer said.

The claimed that the proposed hike is intended to help restructure the energy sector’s growing debt burden and strengthen the long-term sustainability of electricity supply is not true. These guys always find the easy way out to cover their inefficiencies and bad policies. Another utility consumer added.

The PURC says it’s currently engaging stakeholders on proposals submitted by utility providers, including the ECG, which has requested a more than 200 percent increase in tariffs.

By: Kwadwo BUABENG