Opinions of Thursday, 21 February 2013

Columnist: Adofo, Rockson

The real motive behind the fuel increases

The real Motive behind the Fuel and the Utility Bills Increases by President Mahama

It is very practical for any government to raise the prices of commodities on which, she can raise urgent revenue. However, it is obnoxious to increase the prices at one go by the percentage at which the Mahama/Amissah-Arthur NDC-led government has done.

What can be the ulterior motive behind such unexpected price hikes? The answer is not far fetched. The NDC government and party depleted the coffers of Ghana before, and during the 2012 electioneering campaign. They did not only use their party money but also, State money to fund their party campaign. They spent millions of Cedis on negative TV and radio airtime advertisements aimed at rubbishing Nana Akuffo-Addo's flagship educational policy of FREE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION that had electrified almost every Ghanaian.

The NDC party and John Mahama were able to buy airtime and volumes of pages in the Ghana audiovisual and print media only to spew their balderdash propaganda directed at throwing dust into the eyes of Ghanaians to enable them win the elections. In so doing, they thought to enhance their chances of winning the elections by a so-called process of "One Touch". They then purchased large quantities of laptops to distribute among students, cars to bribe female University students, 4 x 4 cars to bribe chiefs. They went on a nationwide vote buying spree paying some voters as much as GHC500 for their voting card which they took off them after payment. From where did they getting the money they were spending as though they were too blind to determine by touch how expensive it was to purchase one vote for GHC500?

Having carelessly and corruptibly depleted the coffers of the nation, they are now obliged to replenish it by whatever means possible or else, there will not be enough money available to pay the nation's public servants let alone, carrying out essential developments. The only way to replace the money so dubiously spent on their campaign and the payment of fraudulent judgment debts of which they were themselves the beneficiaries, is to increase the prices of fuel, electricity and water. Nobody can escape the direct or indirect ripple effects of the price increases in the mentioned commodities and services.

The only people who stand to benefit with a big smile on their face from these roguish price hikes are those who benefited from the vivid corruption and bribery carried out by the NDC government before, during and after the 2012 elections. Anyone to whom Mahama and his NDC thieving syndicate gave laptops, cars, huge sums of money enough to build them houses etc, are the actual beneficiaries of these absurd commodity price increases.

It pains every Ghanaian to see that the callous thieves in government will continue to enjoy free fuel, free accommodation, free food and probably free sex. Whoa! Like a whirlwind, they will not last in government. The Supreme Court's eventual declaration of verdict in favour of Nana Akuffo-Addo & Co. will end their mediocre governance.

Had it not been the fact that there is no money in the coffers, what better explanation can they give for these price increases at a time that John Mahama's fate is still dangling in the balance over the election fraud case pending in the Supreme Court? Any reasonable person would wait for the Supreme Court's verdict in such circumstances before embarking on such silly unprecedented gargantuan price hikes. Does Mahama not know that almost every Ghanaian is peeved at the ridiculous fuel, electricity and water price hikes and may not think twice voting him out should the Supreme Court invalidate the 2012 presidential election results to order a run off?

What can he do as desperate as he is to find money to pay workers after thoughtlessly squandering the entire money in the country's coffers? If he thinks he can remain in power by buying over the Supreme Court judges as he did with certain voters, he had better think twice. All eyes are watching. It does not serve anyone right to be corrupt and a senseless spendthrift.

Unfortunately, innocent Ghanaians are paying for the recklessness of the NDC government and party. Shame on these political novices in whose hands we unfortunately find our lives entrusted owing to the corruptibility of the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan.

I am extremely exhausted and feeling sleepy. I shall come back refreshed and stronger to take on other persons and institutions. I will not spare Alfred Agbesi Woyome the rod since I do not want to see him spoil any further. He had better return the money to the State as he can run but cannot hide. Even his own Ewes will give him away when the time comes with the conflagration about to consume him and those standing solidly by according him unflinching support.

SHAME ON JOHN MAHAMA AND THE NDC CHEATS! If I were a Nigerian I would say, "God don punish you" but I am not so I will not say that.

Rockson Adofo