Gov't Given Ultimatum?

THE leadership of the Committee for Joint Action (CJA), organizers of last Tuesday?s "WAHALA" march in Accra, has given the Kufuor Administration, a one-week ultimatum to reverse the recent fuel price hikes.

This is contained in a petition sent to the Speaker of Parliament, after the "Wahala" march. The signatories include Dr David Pessey of the National Reform Party (NRP) and Mr Kwesi Pratt (Jnr) of the Social Forum of Ghana.

The others are Mr Ofosu Ampofo (NDC), Alhaji Ahmed Ramadan (PNC), Mr Ben Bediako, Dr Obed Asamoah (NDC) and Mr Bernard Mornah also of the PNC.

According to the leadership, the people of Ghana can no longer cope with the increase in prices of petroleum products, the rising cost of living, the severe economic hardships, the insensitivity of the NPP government and the political arrogance of the NPP.

They also contended that the recent increase in the prices of petroleum products is a gross manifestation of the insensitivity by the Kufuor government to the already over-burdened people of Ghana, adding that this will only perpetuate poverty in the country.

The leadership led by Alhaji Ahmed Ramadan also called on the Kufuor government to curb corruption and cut down its ostentatious life styles.

They cautioned that government must stop swallowing up the prescriptions and conditionalities of the IMF and the World Bank which are detrimental to the well-being of Ghanaians, adding that "Ghanaians are holding the NPP government to its fundamental obligation to make life bearable for its people."

The eight-member leadership also warned the government against its culture of impunity manifested by its arrogance and its pursuit of selective justice as an affront to the good people of Ghana. They also cautioned the government not to undermine the confidence in the country?s democratic institutions through its policy of deception and lies.

The leadership therefore called on Parliament to demonstrate its independence and commitment to Ghanaians, by reviewing the taxes, levies and margins which make up over 50% of the price of petroleum products in order to reduce hardships among Ghanaians, especially the poor.

The leaders consequently called for a reversal of the approval by Parliament of the price increase by Monday, March 7, 2005 and also not to approve economic measures that will impose undue hardship on Ghanaians, calling on the House to ensure honesty and transparency in the management of the economy.

Receiving the petition on behalf of the Speaker of Parliament, the First Deputy Speaker, Mr Freddie Blay, assured the CJA leadership that the appropriate measures will be taken to ensure that their grievances are met.

Read the text of the petition below:-

DECLARATION BY THE PARTICIPANTS AT THE ?WAHALA? MARCH IN ACCRA ON TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 2005

WE the under-signed representing the hundreds of thousands of Ghanaians from across the political divide, having taken part in the WAHALA protest march organized by the Committee for Joint Action (CJA) today March 1, 2005 against;

* The February 18, 2005 increase in prices of petroleum products announced by the Kufuor Administration;

* The rising cost of living and severe economic hardships;

* The insensitivity of the NPP government.

* The political arrogance of the NPP.

Do hereby declare:

That the recent increase in prices of petroleum products is a gross manifestation of insensitivity to the already over-burdened people of Ghana.

That the fuel price increases will only perpetuate poverty in the country.

That Ghanaians are dissatisfied with the growing subservience of the NPP government to the prescriptions and conditionalities of the IMF and World Bank to the detriment and well-being of Ghanaians.

That the NPP government cannot keep on piling taxes on Ghanaians when the same government refuses to curb its over-blown expenditure.

That the NPP government must curb corruption and cut down on its ostentation and profligacy.

That Ghanaians are holding the NPP government to its fundamental obligation to make life bearable for its people.

That the NPP government is undermining confidence in the country?s democratic institutions through its policy of deception and lies.

That, the culture of impunity manifested by the arrogance of the government and its pursuit of selective justice is an affront to the good people of Ghana.

We, therefore, hereby urge the Parliament of the Republic to demonstrate its independence and commitment to the people of Ghana by reviewing taxes, levies and margins which make up over 50% of the price of Petroleum products in order to reduce hardships especially among the poor and the disadvantaged and consequently to reverse its approval of the price increases by March 7, 2005.

Finally, we urge Parliament not to approve economic measures that impose undue hardships on the people.

We urge Parliament to ensure honesty and transparency in the management of the economy.

Signed by representatives of Political parties and Civil Societies.