General News of Friday, 18 February 2005

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Fuel prices go up 50%

Accra, Feb. 18, GHP - The government on Friday announced new fuel prices. The price of 1 Imperial gallon (4.6 liters) of premium petrol has increased from ?20,000 to ?30,000 ($3.5) - a hike of 50%. The other prices are as follows with immediate effect:

  • Kerosene is now ?24,000
  • LPG Gas has risen to ?5,700
  • Pre-mix is 21,000 cedis.
  • Gas Oil (Diesel) is 26,500 cedis
  • Marine Gas oil 21,000 cedis.

    Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Finance, who announced this at a press conference in Accra, on Friday said as a measure to alleviate the plight of parents, government had decided to absorb the fees at the basic school level (Primary/JSS).

    He said transport fares would be raised by 30 per cent as already agreed by the Ghana Private Transport Union (GPRTU).

    The Minister said stakeholders in the transport business would publish the list of transport fares in due course.

    The Tripartite Committee, the Minister said is expected to meet to come out with a new basic salary, which would be announced in the budget next week.

    It must be recalled that, President Kufuor on Friday, December 10 2004, dismissed claims that the Government intended to increase the price of petroleum prices from February 15, saying "it is sensitive and responsive to the needs of Ghanaians" (read)