Accra, Jan. 31, GNA - Ghana Post Company (GPC) on Wednesday announced increases in its rates and charges with the cost of inland letters weighing 20 grams going up by 100 per cent to 4,000 cedis from 2,000 cedis. A statement signed by Mr K.A. Otuo-Acheampong, General Manager Corporate Communications, said each additional 10 grams would cost extra 500 cedis.

Postcards, both inland and overseas, and air letter cards would also go up by 100 per cent from 2,000 cedis to 4,000 cedis. The statement said the Postal and Courier Services Regulatory Commission approved the increases. The new charges take effect from February 7, 2007. "The objectives of the revision of the rates and charges are to meet high operational costs and improve quality services. They will also support the company to effectively and efficiently meet the universal service obligation as a national operator."

The statement said an airmail letter to Africa would now be 7,300 cedis from 4,000 cedis, while that to Europe would be 7,500 cedis from 4,500 cedis. It said airmail letters going to the Americas had been increased from 5,000 cedis to 9,000 cedis, while those going to the Far East would now cost 10,000 cedis instead of 6,000 cedis. Handling charges for packet and parcels have also gone up from 10,000 to 15,000 cedis and 20,000 cedis respectively.

Ghana Post said similar increases had also been made on Printed Matter, registered letters for both local and international destinations, newspaper registration and other supplementary services. The Company said there had been no increases in postal rates and charges since 2003, "a situation seriously affecting Ghana Post's operations". "Ghana Post as a national operator is obliged to provide universal service at affordable and uniform rates and charges to every part of the country. But universal service delivery in Ghana is very expensive in terms of poor roads infrastructure, low mail volumes and long distances between towns." The statement said the astronomical hikes in the global fuel prices had led to increases in airline conveyance, local distribution and cost of other inputs. Ghana Post said it hoped the review would enable the company to provide some realistic cost leverage in its operations.