Publish all levies paid per litre on fuel – Gov’t told

A group calling itself Concerned Ghanaians For Responsible Governance (CGRG) has charged government to publish the breakdown of all levies paid per litre on fuel to promote transparency. According to the group, the “damaging hike” in fuel prices has been occasioned by mismanagement of both the monetary and fiscal environments.

George Anti, Executive Secretary, in a statement, said Ghana’s deteriorating fiscal situation has had a direct impact on the cedi, considered as one of the worst performing currencies in the world. “By failing to practice sound fiscal policy, the government has given us a cedi exchange rate now considered among the worst in the world,” he said.

Anti said government’s current approach to dealing with the crisis, unprecedented levying of taxes and other forms of revenue increases will only worsen the economic outlook in the short and medium term for the Ghanaian economy. “The Ghana Cedi will continue its downward slide, perhaps declining to four Ghana Cedis to the US dollar before the end of this year,” he said.

Anti said, “It is time for President Mahama to face the reality that his government’s actions have dramatically worsened the outlook for Ghana and all Ghanaians and to quickly come up with a plan that assures Ghanaians that he understands the gravity of the situation.”

He said Ghana needs a presidential address and not pronouncements by a staffer, to start addressing the problems, stating that “not another Senchi or a cosmetic reshuffle.”

The group announced its second week of the #RedFriday campaign, which will be used to discuss the 23 percent increment in fuel prices by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA). It urged every Ghanaian to wear red, preferably made in Ghana on Friday.

“But it is important to signal your commitment to change by wearing whatever item of red you have.” “We particularly encourage the wearing of visible red accessories like scarf, shoes, bags, wristbands and the like.

“Our hardworking traders could consider hanging a red item in a prominent place in their shops. All commercial vehicle operators are encouraged to hang an item in red visibly on their vehicles,” the group said.