Prices of charcoal are likely to be increased following the increase in charges of charcoal-laden trucks by the Forestry Commission.
As a result of the sharp increase of prices from GH¢30.00 to GH¢150.00 for small Kia Rhino trucks and from GH¢50.00 to GH¢250.00 for the big Kia Rhino trucks, the Kwahu Afram Plains branch of the Ghana Cargo Association in the Eastern Region has stated that they would also increase their truck fares.
The Forestry Commission recently issued a public notice to introduce the Charcoal Conveyance Certificate (CCC) to regulate the transportation of charcoal within the country.
According to the commission, it is important to regulate the industry and the wood resources sustainably managed to ensure continuous supply without adversely affecting the environment.
The commission said the introduction of the CCC, which is a precursor to the implementation of a permit regime, is expected to provide key data on charcoal production in the country to assist the commission develop interventions, strategies and procedures for the effective regulation of the industry and sustainable supply of wood fuel resources.
The implementation of the CCC shall require all charcoal laden trucks to obtain CCCs from district offices of the Forestry Service Division.
But, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the association in Kwahu Afram Plains, Yaw Adjei Danso in an interview with the Daily Heritage expressed disappointment in the commission for increasing the fare for charcoal laden trucks without any consultation and enough notice.
Mr. Danso said, “The commission only gave us a letter inviting us to a meeting to inform us about the new charges. We urged them to give us some time to talk to the market women about the prices but they declined and said their decision was final.”
He further stated that the increase from GH¢30.00 to GH¢150.00 for small Kia Rhino trucks and from GH¢50.00 to GH¢250.00 for the big Kia Rhino trucks is outrageous and would affect the cost of charcoal in the market.
The PRO noted that following the sharp increase in the charges, the association has also decided to increase their fare from GH¢3.50 to GH¢10.00 per bag of charcoal, while the market women would also increase their prices to GH¢50.00 per bag from GH¢27.00.
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