Woman in custody for selling kerosene at 40,000 cedis a gallon

Fomena (Ash), Feb. 11, GNA - The Fomena police have arrested a 46-year-old woman trader for selling kerosene at the Fumso market in the Adansi North

District at 40,000 cedis per gallon, instead of the stipulated price of 22,000 cedis.

Detective Sergeant Ibrahim Boateng, following a tip-off by the District Chief Executive, Mr Peter Kwabena Ameyaw that some traders were selling kerosene at the Fumso market far above the stipulated price, arrested Gladys Appiah from Obuasi.

Briefing the Ghana News Agency at Fomena, the District Chief Executive said upon hearing the information, policemen were detailed to find out the truth and as a result the woman was arrested. He said the reasons why she was selling the kerosene at that price was not known but "it is total sabotage".

Mr Ameyaw said for the past two weeks, people, especially areas, where there was no electricity were not getting kerosene, a situation, which was very disturbing and yet people were hoarding the product. "The situation is very embarrassing to rural areas with no electricity", the DCE said and called on district assemblies and other agencies to monitor the activities of those in the fuel business. He said those hoarding the kerosene were creating panic amongst the rural community and called on the appropriate agencies to ensure that the product was on the market. Mr Ameyaw also warned those, who were adulterating kerosene with diesel to put an end to the practice, since anyone caught would not be spared.

When the District Police Command was contacted, a source confirmed the arrest and said one Charles Ampem, a second-hand clothing dealer, who had abandoned his goods and was assisting the woman because of the rush on her by customers had also been arrested. The police said the two were being detained following investigations on their activities.