Tema, Jan 21, GNA - Commercial sex workers in the Tema Metropolis have increased fees they charge their clients and said the upward adjustment was a result of the recent fuel price increases.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency on condition of anonymity, some of the sex workers said they had to up their fees in order to survive.

This is the only way we can survive as the fuel price hike has left in its trail increasing cost in food, transport and general standard of living, they said.

Whilst appealing to their patrons to bear with them, the sex workers conceded that like the Single Spine Salary Structure, the new prices would be commensurate with improved services.

GNA learnt that a month ago these sex workers were charging 3 Ghana cedis for a "short time" service and 20 Ghana cedis for an all night session. With the recent increase in fuel prices, they are now charging 5 Ghana cedis for a "short time" session and 30 Ghana cedis for an all night session.

But the "Ladies of the Night" said the prices would depend on the "class" of the lady in question as well as other factors like the age of the male patron.

They were abusive when the GNA reporter suggested that they stop their "trade and said their clients cut across a wide spectrum of the society.

In recent times, we receive massive attention from males under the age of 18 and this is more pronounced during festive periods, they said.