“Reduce Fuel Prices Now!”- NDC to Akufo-Addo.
Source: Political Desk
The National Communications Officer of the NDC, Mr. Sammy Gyamfi has demanded that, the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo immediately reduces fuel prices.
This demand was made known to the media at a press conference held at the NDC Party Headquarters today, Monday, 18th October, 2021.
The press briefing focused on, “the high and unbearable cost of living that Ghanaians are experiencing under the watch [of] President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Bawumia, which has largely been occasioned by steep increases in the prices of the Petroleum products over the last four (4) and half years,” Sammy Gyamfi said.
Additionally, he explained that the government has increased fuel prices by nine (9) consecutive times in 2021 alone; as a result, the prices of diesel and petrol for a gallon has increased from, “about GHc21.00 as at January this year, to about GHc31.00 currently.”
“Reduce Fuel Prices Now!”- NDC to Akufo-Addo.
The NDC attributes these increases to new, “draconian taxes on Petroleum products such as; the introduction of 20 pesewas Energy Sector Levy on every liter of diesel and petrol; the increase of 18 pesewas in ESLA per Kilogram of LPG; the introduction of a 10 pesewas sanitation (“borla”) tax on every liter of diesel and petrol.
In addition, the introduction of a 1% COVID levy on NHIL & VAT, by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government, coupled with the free-fall of the Ghana Cedi which has been occasioned by their gross economic mismanagement, are the major factors responsible for the persistent and steep increase in the prices of fuel products.”
The press conference also touched on the general socioeconomic hardhsips facing many Ghanaians and made specific references to price comparisons in the Construction industry.
Prices of “…building materials reveals a very worrying trend that is of major concern to many Ghanaians. A 50kg bag of cement that was sold at GHc27.00 in the year 2016, is being sold at GHc52.00 and in some cases above this price today”.
A tonne of iron rods (16mm) that was sold at about GHc2,800 in 2016 is today going for GHc5,300, while a packet of aluminum roofing sheet that was sold at about GHc520 in 2016 is being sold at about GHc1,200 today.
“Similarly, PVC pipes (20mm) that used to sell at about GHS3.00 in 2016 is today being sold at GHS8.00. Electrical Cables (Cable metal – 16mm) that used to sell at GHS700 in 2016, is today selling at GHS1,553 while the 1.5mm Cable metal, which used to sell at GHS78 is today selling at GHS167.”
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com
