Address fuel price hikes - Unions to Akufo-Addo

The leadership of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), the Progressive Transport Owners Association (PROTOA), and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Committee (GRTCC), have urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to address the issue of fuel hikes since it has a ripple effect on many things.

National Chairman of the GPRTU, Kwame Kuma, said this on Wednesday, 22 February when the leadership of the transport unions paid a courtesy call on Nana Akufo-Addo, to congratulate him on his victory in the December 7 elections.

Mr Kuma said the price of fuel and its effects on transportation costs constituted a major issue for members of the association, as well as commuters.

Mr Kuma also appealed to the President to return to the Union a parcel of land situated at Okponglo, near Madina. This parcel of land, according to the Chairman, had been annexed by the State, and, therefore, appealed for its return, as the Union has plans of building its national headquarters on the property.

He indicated further that the previous government, in June 2016, acceded to their request, but could not effect the replacement before the change in government.

Accompanied by the Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, the leadership of the unions, pledged their support for the government and assured the president of their full cooperation and their desire for him to succeed.

For his part, Mr Akufo-Addo thanked the leadership of the GPRTU and heads of other Transport Unions, for the courtesy.

On the issue of fuel prices, the President assured them that the first budget of his government, which will be delivered by Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta on 2 March, will outline the interventions government will put in place to reduce prices.

Mr Akufo-Addo also indicated he will speedily look into the matter regarding the replacement of their parcel of land at Okponglo.

He added that his vision of creating an industrialised Ghana will require the active support of all sectors of the Ghanaian economy, especially the transport sector.

“When the economy is revived and is growing, you in the transport sector will be major beneficiaries. I want you to help and support me fully so we achieve this vision of a prosperous Ghana. Have it at the back of your minds that you are all stakeholders in the development of our country. Ghana is not a poor country. God has endowed us with all the human and natural resources needed to develop, and, in our time, we must recognise this vision of a progressive, prosperous nation our forebears dreamt of,” the President stated.