PURC Announces 2026 Tariff Increases; Health Ministry Issues Ultimatum to Doctors

Connect Finex
Dec 3, 2025
4 min read

Today’s Cedi Board brings news that directly affects the everyday Ghanaian, from upcoming changes in utility bills to strict new directives for healthcare workers. While the cost of government borrowing continues to drop significantly compared to last year, the conversation today is dominated by the PURC’s latest tariff adjustments and a new digital push to solve youth unemployment. Let's analyze the latest data and emerging trends shaping Ghana's economic landscape.

Market Movers: T-bill Rates Continue to Slide

The government's treasury bills are seeing much lower interest rates compared to this time last year.

91-Day Bill: Now at 10.75%, down significantly from over 25% in December 2024.
182-Day Bill: Currently 11.70%.
364-Day Bill: Sitting at 11.57%.

The government recently recorded an oversubscription of 110% for these bills. This simply means they received more money from investors than they initially asked for. This appears to be a result of the Treasury setting a smaller target rather than a massive rush of new money. Interestingly, while the 91-day rate went up slightly, the longer-term rates dropped. This mixed performance suggests that investors are still trying to figure out where the economy is heading, even after the Bank of Ghana cut its main policy rate recently.

Key Headlines

PURC Announces Tariff Increases for 2026

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has confirmed that electricity tariffs will go up by 9.86% and water tariffs by 15.92%, effective January 1, 2026. This decision is part of a major review covering the years 2026 to 2030.

For the ordinary Ghanaian, this likely means higher household budgets starting in the new year. The PURC states that these increases are necessary to keep companies like ECG and Ghana Water Company running effectively. They looked at factors like the exchange rate, inflation, and the cost of gas to generate power. Unlike the small quarterly adjustments we are used to, this major review aims to secure funds for big projects, such as fixing pipes and expanding electricity to remote island communities. It suggests the regulator is prioritizing the long-term health of these utility companies over keeping prices frozen.

Health Ministry Issues Ultimatum to New Doctors

The Ministry of Health has given newly posted doctors just one week to report to their assigned hospitals or face consequences. This comes after reports showed that many new doctors are refusing to work in regions like the North East, Upper East, and Oti.

The data reveals a stark imbalance; over 50% of all doctors in Ghana are currently working in the Greater Accra region. This directive suggests the government is no longer willing to tolerate this uneven distribution. By insisting that doctors take up their posts in rural areas, the Ministry aims to ensure that quality healthcare is not just a privilege for those in the capital. While the government says it will not change the postings, it is working with local chiefs and leaders to find accommodation for these doctors, hoping to make the move easier for them.

Government Launches Youth Tracker Mobile App

In a bid to tackle the high youth unemployment rate, which is estimated around 22.5%, the Ministry of Youth has launched the "YouthXplore App."

This is reported as not just another job board. The platform is said to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to match young people with jobs, internships, and funding based on their actual skills and potential, not just their school certificates. It brings together opportunities from different agencies like the Youth Employment Agency and the National Service Authority into one place. For the youth, this could mean less time walking from office to office dropping CVs and more time finding opportunities that actually match their talents. The inclusion of an "AgriTractive" campaign also suggests a push to make farming look more like a modern business to attract young entrepreneurs.

Investor’s Insight: First Atlantic Bank IPO

First Atlantic Bank has started the process to list on the Ghana Stock Exchange. This means that soon, members of the public can buy shares and own a part of the bank.

This move comes after the bank reported a strong profit of over GH¢252 million recently. The Bank of Ghana has been encouraging more banks to list on the stock market to make the sector more transparent and to allow everyday Ghanaians to benefit from banking profits. For an investor, this represents a new opportunity to buy into a growing company. Analysts believe that while being a public company comes with strict rules, it will likely give the bank the long-term cash it needs to expand further.

Key Details

Offer Opened: November 24, 2025
Closing Date: December 5, 2025
Offer Price: GH₵ 7.30 per share
Total Shares Offered: Up to 101,667,519 ordinary shares
Listing Date (Tentative): December 19, 2025, on the Ghana Stock Exchange
The minimum number of shares you can purchase is 2,000 shares.
At the offer price of GH₵ 7.30 per share, this equates to a minimum total investment of GH₵ 14,600.

Conclusion

Today’s Cedi Board paints a picture of an economy that is stabilizing but still facing structural changes. While government borrowing rates are low, suggesting better fiscal health at the top level, the ordinary citizen is being asked to pay more for utilities to keep the lights on and water flowing. Simultaneously, new doors are opening for the youth through digital job platforms and for investors through the stock market. These trends indicate that 2026 will likely be a year of balancing higher costs with new opportunities for growth.

Follow Finex Skills Hub for daily insights into Ghana's economic pulse.