The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), government and other stakeholders have been asked to commit to dialogue in solving the challenges surrounding the increase in utility tariffs.

Editor-In-Chief of the New Crusading Guide newspaper, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako Jnr., is of the view that had government and the PURC committed itself to the ‘automatic tariff adjustment that was agreed upon in 2010, the country will not be in a situation where various labour groups and individuals are complaining of the high cost of living due to the increment.

This follows the 78.9% increment in electricity and the 50% increment in water announced by the PURC which has attracted a storm of criticism from a section of the public.

The increment has also led to the issuing of a 10-day ultimatum by the TUC. They are demanding that government and the PURC review the increases downwards or face their wrath. Contributing to panel discussions on Wednesday’s edition of ‘Kokrokoo’, Kweku Baako said he was not surprised at happenings on the labour front; TUC is acting in a way that might seem radical because for a while now, “the Ghanaian labour has shown a lot of moderation over the years even though they are known for radicalism”.

“They can flex their muscles and make people in charge wake up so I am not surprised; it was coming…in principle I am for it…I agree with them; the automatic tariff adjustment that was supposed to have been implemented following the meeting in 2010 is the key to all these problems. This is the time for government to sit up.

…you must commit yourself to previous agreement that has been made and with that labour will know that government is trying to do something about it. If you go into dialogue of the deaf, nothing will be yielded and so for them to hear and understand they need to flex their muscles. I am for them on this…Government and PURC must go to the table and dialogue and reach a consensus with TUC; it should not just be talking but when a consensus is reached, government must fulfill its part,” he said.