WHAT THE PEOPLE SAY

Introduction: On the 4th of January 2011, the National Petroleum Authority of Ghana, announced petroleum price increases of between 25 and 30% as a result of rising world crude prices as well as increases in the Tema Oil Refinery Debt Recovery Levy approved by the parliament according to Alex Mould, Chief Executive Officer of the petroleum authority. Well, lets hear what the people of Nsawam in the (Eastern Region of Ghana) had to say about the increases:-   ABENA AMANKWAH (NSAWAM) “ It is true that many people are not happy about the price they would have to pay for petrol after the recent increases. Of course sales have gone down and many people are now guarding jealously over their pesewa and coins. However is there anything positive coming out of this increases in the price of fuel? If yes then I plead with fellow Ghanaians to give the President all the necessary support. Over the years there have been similar increments but what came of it? It is very true that this ...

  The National Petroleum Authority of Ghana has increased the price of fuel amidst mixed feelings. Whilst others claim the prices are reasonable, some believe the increases would just deepen the economic woes of the people. These were the views of some people i came across at Nsawam (in the Eastern Region of Ghana):- ARABA BENYIWA (NSAWAM) “ The impact of the petrol price increases has been very harsh. It has affected every aspect of our lives and we keep feeling it as the days pass by. As you can see I am a pregnant woman and do not know how things would have looked like if it weren’t for the National Health Insurance Scheme. Some of us do not have anywhere to turn to in difficult moments and that is why we look up to the government for salvation. The President has said the petrol price has been increased because we need money to grow as a nation but we plead with him to reduce it “small” so that the taxi drivers and food sellers would stop strangling people.” EMMANUEL DA...

  REBECCA ENCHIL (AMASAMAN) When I was growing up as a little girl, the availability, scarcity or the price of fuel was not an issue because at that time there weren’t enough vehicles and the country had not seen an influx of factories or private industries that were reliant on fuel with the exception of the state owned enterprises established by Kwame Nkrumah. Most of those factories drew their energy supply from the hydro-electric dam (Akosombo). Today the story is different and all manner of machinery rely on fuel as their source of power. The daily traffic jams we see in town must give us an idea about the number of vehicles which are being driven on our roads reflecting the fast pace of economic growth. I therefore plead with the central government to put measures in place to ensure that this commodity is made readily available at all times and not at an exceedingly exorbitant cost to the consumers because it has become a necessity just like water is.” KWAKU OFORI (AMASA...

                                     BRIGHT KYERE (POKUASE) “ Many people are not happy with the recent increment in the price of petroleum products for the reason that it has rendered the GHC5 note absolutely useless. One can no longer buy a gallon of petrol with that money. Not long ago a gallon of petrol was selling at GHC5.25p but now you have to buy that same gallon at GHC6.84p Currently, the difference in the price of a drum of diesel is GHC 80 compared to the previous price and I think that this is just too much. My position has always been that the government must not allow the NPA (National Petroleum Authority) alone to determine the price of fuel because they would always be blamed and would suffer the consequences.”                                      PHILIP DZAMENU (POKUASE) “ As you a...