Ghana’s Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has published findings showing strong public preference for stable electricity even at increased prices.
According to its June 2025 survey of 3,759 residents across all 16 regions, 61.88% favor reliable supply with higher tariffs over cheaper but unstable alternatives. Only 3.06% preferred frequent outages for lower costs.
The study, conducted from May to June 2025, revealed significant demographic divides. Urban residents (73.1% of high-spending households) and business owners prioritized reliability for productivity and appliance safety.
Conversely, rural communities, students, and low-income groups earning under GHS 300 monthly (56.05% of respondents) emphasized affordability, with 49.1% citing economic hardship as their primary concern. Gender differences emerged, with 64.2% of men favoring stability versus 57.5% of women.
Prepaid meters dominate at 68%, reflecting pay-as-you-go preferences. Qualitative feedback highlighted systemic frustrations: 29.4% demanded tariff reductions, while 20.4% criticized poor outage communication from providers like the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
Policy Recommendations
PURC urged infrastructure upgrades to enhance urban grid reliability and solar solutions for rural areas. It advocated tiered pricing for low-income households and improved provider transparency.
“Regional strategies must address local socioeconomics urban stability needs differ from rural affordability pressures,” the report noted, rejecting one-size-fits-all approaches.
The findings align with President Mahama’s energy accessibility goals under the NDC administration, spotlighting electricity’s role in economic resilience as Ghana prepares for 2028 elections.