Miracles Aboagye insists tariffs hiked by 28.2% within last 12 months

Dennis Miracles Aboagye, Spokesperson for former Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, has insisted that going by any genuine and honest calculation tariffs have surged by 28.2% within the last 12 months, a figure fact-checkers have labelled misleading.

In a strongly worded statement, Mr. Aboagye rejected recent fact-checks that put the cumulative increase at 18.34% for 2025, insisting that his calculation covers a full four quarters spanning 2025 and the first quarter of 2026.

“In 12 months, this government increased electricity by 28.2% and that is a FACT!!! The Fact checkers are wrong and are misleading the Public,” Mr. Aboagye declared.

The controversy centres on the timeframe used for the calculation. Mr. Aboagye maintains that his March 8, 2026 post referenced four quarterly tariff increases, three announced in 2025 and the first quarter 2026 adjustment that took effect in January 2026.

According to Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) data, tariffs were adjusted upward by 14.75% in the second quarter of 2025, followed by 2.45% and 1.14% in subsequent quarters, bringing the cumulative 2025 total to 18.34%. An additional 9.86% increase was announced in December 2025, effective January 2026.

Mr. Aboagye argues that adding the Q1 2026 adjustment to the 2025 increases yields the 28.2% figure he cited. “How you bring 3 quarters which is 9 months, to factcheck a clear factual point made for 12months, which is 4 quarters is an anomaly she should never make again,” he stated, referencing a fact-checker who had contested his claim.

However, GhanaFact, which rated Mr. Aboagye’s original claim as false, confirmed that he acknowledged adding the 2025 increases to the Q1 2026 adjustment to arrive at his figure.

The exchange comes amid growing public concern over rising electricity costs. The People’s Forum, an advocacy group led by Mr. Aboagye, has petitioned the PURC to suspend further tariff increases, citing feedback from citizens who report severe financial strain.

“The burden is too much on the citizens,” Mr. Aboagye said, urging the government to abandon plans for a further increase on July 1.

The PURC has already announced a 3.49% tariff increase effective July 1, 2026, as part of its quarterly review mechanism. The Commission cited inflation, exchange rate movements, generation mix, and fuel costs as factors influencing the adjustment.

The debate over tariff calculations underscores the deepening public discourse on the cost of living and the government’s economic stewardship.