The Former Member of Parliament for Okwaikwei North, Fuseini Issah, has intimated that the concerns stemming from the increase in fuel prices and the yet-to-be increased transport fares, is understandable.

Fuseini Issah posited that citizens have a right to complain because the hike in fuel and transport fares is always a fraction of other cost implications in the other sectors.

“We see transport operators linking this to prices of fuel and fuel products these days. There’s always a system that determines these prices and its been in place for quite a while. Even in the circumstances we find ourselves, we should still use the systems for us to be able to know what needs to be done at every point in time.”
Fuseini Issah

The Former MP averred that the fuel prices are not unique to Ghana’s economy. He explained that when these prices start moving up, government also ought to have a very good view. According to him, the projections will be made but they might not always be accurate because things keep happening.

“I’m sure when we were drawing our budget this year trying to have a benchmark price for crude, we didn’t envision any of the Russia-Ukraine situation getting to this level and affecting the fuel prices.”
Fuseini Issah

According to Fuseini Issah, government cannot be scrapping taxes in this regard because at the end of the day, government needs to make money to be able to keep the system running.

“And if, there are avenues government could make money from, I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. Then again, the economy still has to run. It’s a mixed bag of issues I think government should manage at this time. I am sure that at the appropriate time, the right decisions will be made.”
Fuseini Issah

Speaking on the current economy, he indicated that the worst performance of the currency under this government is the best under the former administration.

“When in a year the cedi depreciated by 18 percent under the NDC, that was bad leadership.”
Fuseini Issah

Severe economic difficulties

Contributing to the discussion, a member of the legal team of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Abraham Amaliba, intimated that Ghanaians are going through severe economic difficulties due to the bad governance of the current administration.

The legal practitioner noted that the local currency is not doing well against the major trading ones, especially the dollar and also the prices of fuel are increasing leading to high cost of goods and services.

“This economy we live in is an excruciating economy. Fuel prices will continue to increase until the government find ways to manage the cedi.”
Abraham Amaliba

Reacting to the comments by Fuseini Issah, Abraham Amaliba stated that the facts indicate that the NDC did well in managing the cedi than what is being witnessed at the moment.

“Ghana is currently second worst when it comes the strength of the local currency in Africa. NDC left it at 4 cedis to a dollar and now, we are at 6.5 cedis and you say you are better than us?”
Abraham Amaliba

Commenting on the clergy who went to visit the Former President, John Mahama, he urged the clergy to begin to talk about the ills of this country. He explained that the people of this country will not forgive them if they don’t.

“And I think that it’s about time, as much as they are entreating Ghanaians to pay the E-levy, they must also talk to the President to ensure that he uses our money wisely and prudently.”
Abraham Amaliba