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Friday, March 11, 2016

Ghanaians express mixed reaction on fuel reduction
Audrey Micah, Ghanadot

Accra, March 13, Ghanadot - Several days after the reduction in fuel prices, members of the public say they are yet to see the result of government's claim that they want to ease the suffering of the poor and vulnerable.

According to them, they were expecting something more than just 5 percent reduction by President Mills and that they are not at all content with the reduction since the benefit, if it happens, will alsoo be small.

A “trotro” driver who spoke to Ghanadot lamented that one of the reasons why he voted for the NDC and President Mills to power was his message of reducing petroleum prices drastically to impact the poor, but he has lost faith in the current administration because that has not happened.

“I was having high hopes in Professor Mills and his message of equality for all, but after Monday when I heard that we will now buy a gallon of petrol for GH3.51p, I asked myself what have they done?

“Myself and other trotro drivers here, decided to vote for this government for one reason and I think they have failed us. As it is we have not been able to adjust the prices yet, and again what we were trying to avoid has come”.

A visit to the Central Business District in the capital indicated that nothing has changed as far as food stuff is concerned. The price of a tuber of yam is still GH1.50p.

According to some of the traders who spoke to Ghanadot, the changes made will not affect them in anyway even if drivers abide by the directives as the changes are too marginal.

Others also believe that President Mills has kept his 100 days promise of reducing petroleum prices, saying that it is a measure of his competence for bringing better things to Ghanaians.

They believe, with such a good start the NDC administration will be able to deliver on its promises to the people and urged President Mills to continue with what he has started.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) has described the reduction of petroleum prices as fake, as it will only benefit industries rather than the ordinary Ghanaian.

According to General Secretary of the DFP, Mr. Bede Ziedeng, “Industry will benefit from it but the larger majority of Ghanaians will not benefit from it and blamed the president for it, stressing that the action amounted to steep pretense.

He stated that with the Kufuor government reducing fuel prices late last year, President Mills should have threaded cautiously.

Ghanadot