Massive Demo Hits Accra – Over Fuel Hikes

Scores of consumers of petroleum products, mostly drivers are set to hit the streets of Accra in protest over the rising fuel prices in the country.

The demonstrators claim they are unhappy about the frequent increase in petroleum products in the country by government in recent days.

Duncan Amoah, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Petroleum Consumers Association of Ghana who dropped the hint about the demonstration in an interview with Kumasi based Nhyira FM stated that the price of petroleum products has seen continuous increase in recent times.

According to him, the situation has created uneasiness for consumers.

Mr. Amoah disclosed that some of the petrol pumping stations, again, over the weekend increased their prices across the country.

He said consumers of petroleum products, notably drivers, have continually complained about the frequent increase but to no avail.

According to him, petroleum consumers have therefore decided to hit the streets in their numbers to demonstrate to draw government’s attention.

The Petroleum Consumers Association served notice that from Accra, they would hold another demonstration in Kumasi until the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government finally listens to their wailings.

In a related development, Commercial drivers and members of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) are also expected to hit the streets today over the issue.

According to them, the last five months have seen a persistent increase in the prices of petroleum products with corresponding hardships these increases often come with.

The Unions say they will embark on a peaceful protest in Accra to pile pressure on the government to heed their calls.

Most of the drivers who fall under the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) say they are unable to increase transport fares to correspond with increasing fuel prices because the government has directed them not to do so.

By: Afia Sarpong Amankwa/ thePublisher