Editor of the New Crusading Guide Kweku Baako has called on the NPP Government to pay attention to the plight of Ghanaians by reducing fuel prices as most people especially taxi drivers have raised concerns about the recent hike in fuel prices.
Kweku Baako believes it outdated for Governemt to try and give reasons for which fuel prices have increased thereby condemning the concerns raised but rather pay attention to the plight of the people and sit with the drivers and other stakeholders to find solutions to the issues raised amidst the fuel price increment.
Speaking on JoyFM's news analysis show Newsfile, Kweku Baako said the concerns raised by COPEC and commercial drivers offers Government and the NPA the opportunity to build capacity by sitting down and paying attention to the issues brought forward.
According to Kweku Baako, Government commentators should desist from being insensitive to the plight of Ghanaians.
 
Fuel prices killing Ghanaians
The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers, COPEC, the Industrial and Commercial Workers union, together with numerous commercial drivers, are protesting the increase in prices of petroleum products, saying that it is killing their businesses.
In a demonstration staged on Wednesday 7th February 2018, in Accra, the unions are putting pressure on the Akufo- Addo government to stick to their promise of reducing petroleum prices when they are voted into power.
Duncan Amoah, the executive secretary of COPEC, speaking on behalf of the group stated that they are aware that there has been an increase in petroleum prices on the international market, as the NPA stated, but what they are seeking is that government reduce the taxes placed on petroleum products in the country, so that citizens can afford to buy fuel.
Kweku Baako comments on commercial drivers protest recent hike in fuel prices
Some Commercial drivers in Accra have accused President Akufo-Addo of breaking his campaign promise to reduce fuel prices in the country, following recent hikes in the prices of petroleum products.
According to them, fuel prices and the standard of living in the country continues to increase by the day, contrary to the promise made by the president in the 2016 election campaign.
Kweku Baako believes the call is appropriate and Government need to respond to it.
NPA reacts to fuel price concerns
NPA in a statement disclosed that prices of petroleum products have been on the rise on the international market which has directly affected the prices on the market.
The NPA boss Hassan Tampuli said Government have no control over these international market forces.
“For instance, the prices of petrol and diesel on the international market have increased cumulatively by 17% and 19% respectively since November 2017.â€
 The NPA, however, is of the considered view that the reasons for the intended demonstration are anything but noble having regard to the interventions they made time and again by way of the Price Stabilisation interventions over the past three (3) months.
But former deputy Minister of Energy John Jinapor said the NPP Government is being insincere with the people of Ghana because goverment have hand in the determination of fuel prices in the country.
He mentioned the Energy Sector Levy, Energy Debt Recovery Levy, Road Fund Levy, Energy Fund Levy Special Petroleum Levy among others as levies which the government have full control over.
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