We will hit the streets again - CJA

Accra, March 8, GNA - The Committee for Joint Action (CJA), fighting against the current fuel price increases on Tuesday threatened to hit the streets again on March 17 unless the Government reviewed the prices of the products downwards.

The group, which comprises political activists from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), People's National Congress (PNC), Convention People's Party (CPP) and Socialist Forum, said; "we are absolutely convinced that it is possible to review the price downwards". The group hit the streets on March 1 under a "Wahala Demonstration" and presented a petition to Parliament calling on the Government to review fuel prices downward.


Dr Nii Lante Pessey, Spokesperson for the group, announcing these at a Press Conference in Accra on the next line of action by the group after the expiration of the ultimatum it gave to the Government, said they would never rest until the fuel prices were reduced.


He said the CJA before embarking on its intended demonstrations would organize a public forum on March 11, at the Teachers' Hall to address a full range of issues involved in the petroleum price increases.


The group would move to the regions to organize similar programmes to educate the people about issues in the petroleum industry. He accused the Government of being insensitive to the plight of Ghanaians since the new increment in fuel prices had brought untold hardships to the mass of the population.


It said it was of view that the power to reduce the hardships on Ghanaians laid in the hands of President john Agyekum Kufuor and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) if they wanted to provide the needed respite for the citizenry.

"After all, they have introduced a new tax, and raised the levels of existing ones on petroleum products."


He described measures so far announced by the Government to alleviate the hardships of the people as being merely cosmetic and propagandist in character and noted that President Kufuor in his 48th Independence Day Parade Address conceded to the hardships the fuel increment was going to bring on Ghanaians but he had failed to provide the needed respite to them.


Dr Pessey said; "the CJA insists that the recent increases in prices of petroleum products was a manifestation of the Government's insensitivity to the plight of already overburdened Ghanaians". Dr Pessey said; "we will remain focused on our main objective of forging consensus against the oppressive and exploitative economic policies being pursued by the NPP Government.


"Our cause is to speak on behalf of millions of voiceless Ghanaians, who are suffering under these harsh economic conditions." 08 March 05