Sammi Awuku takes on Mahama over tariffs hike, flood response

The Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Samuel Awuku, has launched a scathing critique of the government over the recent utility tariff increases and its response to the devastating floods that have displaced thousands of Ghanaians, describing both decisions as insensitive and disconnected from the hardships confronting citizens.

Speaking in the wake of the floods that ravaged parts of the country, Awuku argued that the decision to implement new electricity and water tariff increases on July 1 could not have come at a worse time.

According to him, many families are still struggling to recover after losing loved ones, homes, businesses, vehicles, and lifetime investments to the disaster.

The comments come after the government announced an upward adjustment in utility tariffs while simultaneously unveiling a GH¢300 million emergency intervention package for flood victims and flood mitigation efforts.

The package allocates GH¢150 million for immediate relief to affected persons and another GH¢150 million for long-term flood prevention measures.

Sammi Awuku questioned the timing of the tariff increment, insisting that government should have prioritised easing the burden on citizens rather than imposing additional financial pressures.

“People have lost their livelihoods. People have lost their very existence. They’ve lost everything they have worked for and toiled for. To compound that hardship with another tariff increase is the most insensitive thing any government can do to its people,” he stated.

The Akuapem North legislator contrasted the current administration’s response with measures adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic under former President Nana Akufo-Addo.

He recalled that the previous government was prepared to absorb significant economic costs to save lives during the health crisis.

“When we had COVID, President Akufo-Addo said he was willing to break the vote at the bank to protect lives. We know how to rebuild an economy, but we do not know how to bring back lives,” Sammi Awuku remarked.

He maintained that governments have a moral responsibility to stand with citizens during times of national tragedy rather than introduce policies that could deepen their suffering.

According to him, the tariff adjustment demonstrates what he described as a growing disconnect between the governing National Democratic Congress administration and the realities facing ordinary Ghanaians.

“I think that tariff increment has been a disaster. It is very insensitive and clearly demonstrates that the government seems disconnected from the realities on the ground,” he argued.

Sammi Awuku also questioned the adequacy of the government’s GH¢300 million relief package, particularly the GH¢150 million earmarked for direct support to flood victims.

Referring to reports that more than 400,000 people had been displaced or severely affected by the flooding, he suggested that if the relief allocation were shared among all affected persons, each individual would receive only a fraction of what they had lost.

“If you divide GH¢150 million among over 400,000 people, none of them will receive more than about GH¢400. These are people who have lost their businesses, vehicles, homes, capital, and lifetime savings,” he said.

While acknowledging that government may not be able to restore every loss suffered by victims, the MP argued that the scale of assistance announced falls far short of the magnitude of the disaster.

He also criticised the pace of emergency response by the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), alleging that victims did not receive immediate relief following the floods.

According to Sammi Awuku, 24 hours after the disaster, essential relief items such as blankets and mosquito nets had not yet been distributed to displaced families, with significant relief efforts only commencing nearly three days later.

“NADMO had not even distributed blankets. Not a single mosquito net had gone out to the flood victims 24 hours after the disaster. Distribution only started almost 72 hours later,” he noted.

The MP further criticised remarks made by President John Dramani Mahama during a thanksgiving service, where the President referenced “showers of blessings.”

Sammi Awuku suggested that such language was inappropriate at a time when many citizens were still mourning loved ones and counting the cost of widespread destruction caused by heavy rains.

“When people are drowning and have lost everything, they need comfort, action, and hope—not words that appear disconnected from their pain,” he stated.

Sammi Awuku’s comments add to growing political debate over the government’s handling of the flooding crisis, with the opposition continuing to demand greater support for affected communities while questioning the timing of recent economic policy decisions.

The Akuapem North MP insists that extraordinary national emergencies require extraordinary government intervention, arguing that the immediate priority should be protecting lives, restoring livelihoods, and giving hope to thousands of families struggling to rebuild after one of the country’s worst flood disasters in recent years.

Nana Prekoh Eric

See Full Bio