PRESS RELEASE

INDEPENDENT PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT

“Roll Back Fuel Price Increases Immediately”

The new Independent Progressive Movement wishes to add its voice to that of the TUC and other social partners who have expressed worry over recent increase in the prices of petroleum products. The increase itself is worrying and so is the timing of it. It is almost as if the Atta-Mills Administration is telling Ghanaians that it has given up trying to find solutions to our numerous problems. It is clear that the administration is counting on some unknown providence during this holiday season to wipe off the negative effects of the price increase before Ghanaians wake up to its real consequences. Fuel prices were increased 15 and 20 percent last week Thursday when the government’s decision to withdraw subsidies on the products took effect.

We are at a loss to understand the type of justification (or is it spinning?) engaged in by Vice President John Dramani Mahama who it has been reported stated that “… it would be unwise to continue subsidizing petroleum products”.

We in the Progressive Movement call on the Atta-Mills Administration to roll back these fuel increases immediately as letting the situation stay as it is will make 2012 a very difficult year right from its beginning. Food prices will go up as transportation prices have already been increased. Already, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture itself has warned of shortage of maize and other staple food items. We do not believe the Vice President when he says that removing subsidies from petroleum products, he said, would enable government save funds for other important infrastructural projects. The administration he serves in has promised a massive infrastructure boost using the $3 billion Chinese loan. Our oil revenue is also on standby for infrastructure work. So what is the Vice President talking about? Is this not just a failed attempt to pre-empt the political fallout from these petroleum price increases?

This should teach all of us Ghanaians a useful lesson NOT to fall for the empty promises made by politicians such as that of Candidate Mills who in 2008 promised to “…reduce fuel prices drastically”. We are in another election year. We call on all Ghanaians to examine carefully the individuals who have put themselves up for election to become President of the Republic of Ghana – Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, Nana Akufo-Addo and Professor John Evans Atta-Mills. We are confident that Dr. Nduom stands head and shoulder above the other prospective candidates. He will not make promises he cannot keep. He is needed to bring sanity to our energy situation so that Ghanaians can be the big beneficiaries. The new Independent Progressive Movement is prepared to do everything possible to give Ghanaians an alternative that is progressive and different in a very positive way.

Richmond Keelson 0208135309