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18.02.2013 Letter

I Will Have My Say Ghana's Fuel Increase: Intended Development For The Poor

By Francis Piamang Williams
I Will Have My Say Ghana's Fuel Increase: Intended Development For The Poor
18.02.2013 LISTEN

The current increase in fuel prices and removal of subsidies on fuel could be described by financial analyst and economist as worthwhile since there is so much developmental issues crippling this nation. There is serious water shortages and some of the pipes are so redundant and arid that they cannot remember the last time water flowed through them.

Our roads are very bad and immotorable, which results in erstwhile preventable accidents and vehicle breakdowns. The Metro mass Transit (MMT) is hardly making ends meet, there are price hikes and Electricity production and provision are bad omen and a sour taste in the mouth of the ordinary Ghanaian.

The school fees of Senior High Schools are up and that of tertiary is nothing to write home about. Schools, Police Stations and Hospitals are death traps and need rehabilitation, with the Salaries of some public and civil services being nothing to write home about. I guess I could go on and on but we are abreast with such issues.

It is good if fuel prices and taxes are increased to help in the development of our societies and the provision of social amenities to the people of Ghana.

But there are some issues that needs to be addressed. How can Woyome be paid GHC51 million whilst only GHC1.2 million is paid as subsidy for a whole year. The rent allowances for the MPs which is GHc50,000 with a monthly emolument of GHC7,200 each runs into millions and yet we think this small subsidy is simply going to end our woes and suppress the plight of the ordinary Ghanaian.

51% of our imported fuel is used by the Ministries which are paid by our taxes and through our public purse. And the reason given for the removal of subsidies is for developmental projects of the rural Ghanaian whose taxes are used to pay for the Minister's fuel and has to pay the excess amount added to the fuel since there is a trickling down effect.

Well, we shall not play Politics with these issues but Government Official are supposed to be accountable for the Management of the economy and the public purse!!!!

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