Increase in fuel prices will worsen the plight of citizenry – Minister

Mr Eric Opoku on Wednesday admitted that the current increase in petroleum products would worsen the condition of the ordinary Ghanaian.

He said the effect of the increase on the economy would be for a short term because government was taking immediate poverty intervention strategies to alleviate the plight of the citizenry.

The Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister made the observation when addressing the communities in the region during a visit to officially introduce himself to the traditional areas.

Mr Opoku stressed that, government had no deliberate intention to increase prices of petroleum products but its decision was informed by the effect of the global increment in price of crude oil.

He noted that dealers in the petroleum industry had capitalised on the increase to smuggle products to neighbouring countries like Burkina Faso, Togo and La Cote D’Ivoire.

Mr Opoku advised the chiefs to be wary of some politicians who might politicise the issue, adding, it was the aspiration of the Government to promote the general wellbeing of the people.

Mr Opoku said all sectors of the economy would experience drastic change with interventions being instituted to help alleviate poverty through wealth creation.

He appealed to the Sunyani Traditional Council and the Fiapre Traditional Council to endeavour to settle the protracted land disputes between them.