Fuel hikes: Akufo-Addo is 'insensitive, dishonest' – Group

The government of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo must reduce fuel prices immediately, the Coalition for Social Justice has demanded.

According to the group, the recent increase in fuel prices by the government is deepening the economic woes of Ghanaians.

Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta announced an increase in fuel taxes when he presented the 2019 mid-year budget review to parliament. Accordingly, some leading Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) across the country have increased pump prices effective Sunday, 1 September 2019 from GHS 5.19/litre to GHS 5.39/litre, representing a 3.7% jump.

But a statement issued by the group on Monday, 2 September 2019, said: “We know that these increases in fuel process are a result of the bad and insensitive policies of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and nothing more.

“They are a direct product of steep hikes in the energy sector levies (ESLA) by more than 23% which were announced during the 2019 mid-year budget review presentation by the finance minister”.

“We find the decision by President Akufo-Addo’s government to increase prices of petroleum products at a time when Ghanaians are reeling under excruciating hardship, as most dishonest and unfair.”