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Consumer Protection Agency (CPA), an NGO responsible for the consumer needs of Ghanaians, has described the recent 25 per cent subsidy by government over utility tariffs as welcoming news since the consumer�s tax would be put to use. It, however, said there were perceptions out there that the subsidy was a reduction from the 78 per cent already in force. �It was only a cushion,� the group noted. Mr Kofi Kapito, the leader of the group, made this observation during a press conference in Accra on Thursday. He explained that the consumer would still pay the 78 per cent put out by the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC) a month ago, while the government cushions consumers with 25 per cent. Concerns of the CPA CPA questioned whether the PURC and the government would ensure that the 25 per cent subsidy on electricity would reflect on water. �The question we would like to ask is: Is the 25 per cent enough? Can it actually augment or put to rest all the anxiety and the fears the Ghanaian consumer faces when it comes to utility tariffs?� the group asked. It added that the request by Ghanaians for reduction in tariffs was not about electricity alone but also water and called on the government to absorb some percentages of the cost of the increase in water. Call on PURC The CPA mentioned that it was prudent for consumers to know from the PURC, how they would monitor the utility service providers on behalf of the consumer. Mr Kapito also charged the commission to ensure that transmission losses that were passed on to consumers were reduced to the barest minimum. Energy Conservation CPA also enjoined Ghanaians to learn how to practice utility conservation, especially, electricity. The CEO encouraged Ghanaians to put their deep freezers off for at least, 12 hours; from 7 p.m. when going to bed to 7 a.m. when they were leaving for work every day in order to conserve energy. He further encouraged consumers to put off all electrical appliances when not in use in their homes and workplaces.