Investigative Overview
TMG Research and Investigative Desk has scrutinized a claim by Dennis Miracles Aboagye, spokesperson for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, asserting that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government under President John Mahama increased electricity tariffs by 28% within a 12-month period in 2025. Our findings, supported by official data from the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), confirm that this figure is inaccurate and artificially inflated.
Here is what he said: https://www.facebook.com/BulletTVGhana
Verdict: FALSE / MATHEMATICALLY MISLEADING
The Real Data: 2025 Tariff Adjustments
According to the PURC’s quarterly reviews for 2025, there were three upward adjustments, but their cumulative total does not reach the 28% claimed:
- Q2 2025: 14.75% increase (primarily to recover outstanding revenue from 2024).
- Q3 2025: 2.45% increase.
- Q4 2025: 1.14% increase.
- Actual Cumulative Increase for 2025: 18.34%
The Source of the Error
When confronted with the discrepancy, Dennis Miracles Aboagye admitted to combining the 18.34% total from 2025 with an additional 9.86% adjustment announced for the first quarter of 2026. By mixing two different fiscal years and cycles, the claim created a misleading narrative of a single 12-month 28% hike.
Why the Claim is Misleading
- Mathematical Inflation: Presenting a 12-month increase as 28% when it was actually 18.34% represents an overstatement of nearly 53%.
- Misattribution of Cost Drivers: The PURC explicitly stated that the largest hike (14.75%) was an “inevitable attempt” to pay off nearly GH¢976 million in debt carried over from previous quarters under the preceding administration.
- Double Counting: Including a projected 2026 hike into a 2025 review is a standard practice of statistical manipulation often used to maximize political impact at the expense of factual accuracy.
TMG Conclusion
The claim that the NDC government increased electricity tariffs by 28% in 12 months is false. The actual cumulative increase for the calendar year 2025 was 18.34%. While utility costs remain a significant burden for Ghanaians, TMG Research urges public figures to use verified, single-period data to avoid misinforming the electorate.
