Utility tariff hikes "killing" – Joyce Aryee

Dr. Joyce Aryee, Executive Director of Salt and Light Ministry and a former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines has described recent utility tariff increase as “outrageous and killing”.

“It is killing, it is a lot…I think that when you know cost are going up I think that we should let people in gradually…but just 59 percent at once I think it is just too much,” Dr. Aryee told Morning Starr host Nii Arday Clegg Wednesday.

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) in December 2015 announced a 59.2% and 67.2% increase in electricity and water tariffs respectively.

However, after a public outcry and threats by the Organised Labour, the government on Wednesday announced a reduction in electricity tariff by 15 per cent for vulnerable groups.

Dr. Aryee, who is also a former Information Minister stated that the Mahama-led administration has done well in certain sectors, but has also failed to deliver in other critical sectors of the economy.

She justified the increase of transport fares by commercial drivers, saying everything has shot up and the drivers would have to find ways and means to also make ends meet.

“Why should the one who is driving the vehicle bear the brunt? He has to spread it because when he is going to buy fuel, it is high, when he is going to pay his insurance, it is high, he has to pay electricity, he also has to pay taxes so what does he do, and so that is why we ought to think of all these things in totality”.

Dr. Aryee on Sunday January 31, 2016 launched a book detailing the inspirations behind the compositions of some popular hymns.

The book, christened ‘Inspiring Stories Behind Our Best-Loved Hymns’ was authored by Dr. Aryee and Asante Danquah.