After Removing Fuel Subsidy, What Next? - JB

A former deputy Minister in the Kufuor Administration, Mr J. B. Danquah Adu, has insisted that early payment of salaries of workers is not a mitigating factor to the hardships brought about by the recent increase in petroleum prices. He said, even though the argument of the removal of subsidy on fuel was cogent, particularly in relation to the rich, its impact on the poor and vulnerable in society was unbearable. Speaking to the Daily Graphic at New Tafo Akyem in the Eastern Region, Mr Danquah Adu, who is the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate, said the government must be transparent and open to tell Ghanaians what it would use the savings accrued as a result of the subsidy removal for in direct and specific terms. He advised the government to utilise the savings for the benefit of the poor and vulnerable in society to mitigate their suffering. �The interventions could be in the field of health, such as reducing health insurance premiums, health user fees and subsidy on medications commonly used,� he stated. On education, Mr Danquah Adu said the savings could be used as grants to reduce education user fees and the expansion of the school feeding programme. He suggested that bus fares for schoolchildren should be free while fares of public transport must be subsidised. The MP aspirant called for subsidy on transportation of foodstuffs since all Ghanaians spent a chunk of their incomes on food. He stressed the need for the government to invest part of the savings in the manufacturing of cargo trucks and on traders to create jobs for more Ghanaians. Mr Danquah Adu said since many Ghanaians were engaged in farming, part of the savings should be invested on irrigation facilities to increase and improve grain production since that would reduce imports. Touching on electricity, he said part of the subsidy could be used to subsidise electricity tariffs for the poor and vulnerable in society. In another development, Mr Danquah Adu donated 100 bags of cement and GH�1,000 cash to the Akyem Osiem Presbyterian Church in the Eastern Region towards its expansion programme. The gesture, which was in response to a request made by the church, also formed part of Mr Danquah Adu�s social responsibility to his constituents as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Apuakwa North. He urged the leadership of the church not to hesitate to approach him whenever they needed assistance as service to mankind is service to God. Mr Danquah Adu seized the opportunity to appeal to members of the church, especially the youth, not to allow politicians to use them as tolls for violence. He admonished churches to pray ceaselessly for God�s intervention to ensure a peaceful general election this year. The Minister in charge of the church, Rev. Adomako Mensah, who received the gift, praised the donor for gesture. He asked for God�s blessings for Mr Danquah Adu in all his endeavours.