Reduce Fuel Prices – OccupyGhana

Nana Akwasi Awuah addressing the media while other members look on

OccupyGhana, a socio-political pressure group, has given government and the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) a five-day ultimatum to reduce the prices of petroleum products or face legal action.

According to the pressure group, government's refusal to reduce the prices of petroleum products in the country despite the drastic fall of the price of crude oil on the world market was fraudulent.

Nana Akwasi Awuah, who was addressing the press in Accra on behalf of OccupyGhana, said, 'We believe that the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and the Ministry of Finance are short-changing Ghanaians in relation to the petroleum prices.”

He said, 'We are a nation of laws and on utility pricing, we are guided by the automatic adjustment formula. It is worrying just as it may be fraudulent not to pass on the effect of a drastic reduction in oil prices on the world market to Ghanaians.”

Mr Awuah criticized NPA's decision to settle the GH¢1.5 billion owed Bulk Oil Distributors (BDCs) and Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) by maintaining the prices.

He questioned why the suffering masses should pay for the gross inefficiency of the government, adding 'We support the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and other calls for an immediate reduction in the prices.

Mr Awuah also expressed concern about the manner in which more taxes had been imposed on consumers.

He gave the assurance that the pressure group would from next year tackle the unfinished business with the Auditor-General, electoral and educational reforms, adding, 'We shall be demanding accountability with respect to critical national issues.'

By Cephas Larbi
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