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The General Transport, Petroleum and Chemical workers union of TUC Ghana has appealed to government to as a matter of urgency reduce fuel prices now.

According to the group, the rate at which fuel prices are going up, is increasing the hardship of Ghanaians.

Speaking on Okay FM’s 'Ade Akye Abia' program, Chairman of the group, Mr. Bernard Owusu explained that the rate at which fuel prices are going up under this government is very worrying.

"We have met consistently with government agencies and institutions about the rate at which fuel prices are going up but it looks like they have deliberately refused to heed to our call to reduce fuel prices."

"We are pleading with the government to begin to reduce fuel prices now or else we will be forced to take any action against the government," he said.

"Things are already hard in this country so the government should be a little bit sensitive and reduce fuel prices," he added.

The group also contended that the Ghanaian worker has not seen the same percentage increases in wages and that, its yearly comparison shows that fuel price changes have been astronomical with the same eroding the purchasing power of workers.

“The meager salaries received by workers coupled with increased taxes on PAYE, water, electricity, and communication is detrimental to the welfare of Ghanaian workers and their families. At the same time, workers and Ghanaians cannot link the higher taxes that confront them with any appreciable improvements in basic economic and social circumstances of the country.”

‘NPP gov’t has developed so much appetite for taxation’ – Minority

Already, the Minority in Parliament has demanded a withdrawal of the recent upward review of taxes on petroleum products.

It says such a move will bring down the prices of fuel and other petroleum products.

Some Oil Marketing Companies increased the price of fuel due to the kicking in of tax adjustments to the ESLA levies.

Adam Mutawakilu who is a Ranking Member parliament’s committee on Mines and Energy said the recent increase in fuel prices cannot be justified.

“Government has been blaming all these increments on international crude oil price and the depreciation of the cedi. But, what makes this one different and more insensitive is the fact that this is not a result of international crude oil prices or exchange rates issues, it is the imposition of more taxes. The government when in opposition, propagandized and captured in their manifesto that they were moving this country from taxation to production but all of a sudden it has developed so much appetite for taxation,” he criticized.


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