Ghanaian Fisher folks who are already at the wrong end of an aggressive tax regime have been further hit by an almost 20 percent increase in premix fuel.
Effective August 1, 2013, Premix fuel which used to sell at 66.82 GHp per litre has been increased by 19.94% to 80.14 GHp per litre.
The increase form part of government�s policy in response to International Monetary Fund directives to remove subsidies on petroleum products.
Chief Executive of the pricing authority, Mr. Alex Mould explained that the increases were necessitated by the price volatility of petroleum products on the international oil market.
The National Petroleum Authority noted that Price of Brent (DTD) crude oil has over the period been increased from USD105.87/bbl to USD 109.08/bbl, representing a 3.04% increase.
The price of Kerosene also inched up marginally by 8.41 per cent from 115.03 GHp per liter to 124.79 GHp per liter. The price of Petrol (premium) and Diesel (gas oil), however, remained unchanged.
Meanwhile, the Center Bank after its monetary policy meeting to assess the health of the Ghanaian economy, earlier this week projected a slowdown in crude oil prices in the second half of 2013.
These increase come barely a month after government imposed taxes on the importation of outboard motors which form an essential implement for the fishing industry in the coastal regions of the country.
The impact levy bill which imposes a one percent import duty on Outboard Motors used by Fishermen was approved by Parliament under a certificate of urgency.
This move by government was heavily criticized by many Ghanaians, especially the minority in parliament, who argued that the new levy would further worsen the plight of the fisher folk who are already reeling under harsh economic times.
Others argued that levy would lead to an increase in the cost of fish implements and ultimately an increase in food cost especially fish and also has the potential to impoverish subsistence fishermen most of whom are below the poverty line.
With the recent increase and heaping levies on most agric and fishing implements, it would not be long when the most Ghanaian begin to feel the brunt at the market.
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