Amid the rising cost of petroleum products and transport fares, many Ghanaians say they are feeling increasing hardships.
The Road Transport Coordinating Council in Ghana announced a 19 percent increase in transport fares in October as the ex-pump price of petroleum products increased constantly since the beginning of this year.
On ade akyebia, the socio-political morning show on Sompa Tv hosted by Omanhene Yaw Adu Boakye, scores of listeners has cried foul over the increasing hardship in the country.
The show has received widespread comments, and attention particularly on Wednesday’s edition dubbed “Ka wasem” to wit share your thought, listeners fumed over the excessive increase in commodities, goods, and foods.
Kwame, a caller from Kukuom – Kasaam, told Omanhene that 10m of akpteshie, a locally made alcoholic gin sells at 2.50 cedis per teaspoon instead of 0.50 pesewas.
“The cost of living has increased due to higher transport fares and has reduced the general standard of living since there is no corresponding increase in incomes to compensate for the increasing fares and higher prices of general goods and services,” in my area, a spoon of akpeteshie sells at 2.50 cedis.
Ato Kwamena, a caller from Winneba in the central region registered his displeasure against the price increment of “Wee” which according to him has no business with the Ukraine and Russia war.
“na wee de3 efa Ukraine ne Russia ntokwa ho ben” to wit, what has Indian hemp got to do with Ukraine and Russia war? He asked.
According to Atto, a roll of wee was sold at 1.50 pesewas but now sells at 5 cedis, something he can’t fathom with.
“A roll of wee was sold for 1 cedi and 1.50 pesewas but now sells at 5 cedis, aden? He asked the host.
He further said their wives and girlfriends are leaving them and therefore threatened a naked demonstration.
“Oman, our girlfriends are leaving us because we can’t satisfy them, you see, you increase your libido when you are high up but because we can’t afford the wee, they are leaving us, we will soon go on a naked demonstration, we will go on naked demonstration from Winneba roundabout to Mankesim, he told Omanhene.
The situation becomes critical for urban populations, many of whom change buses at least once daily before reaching their destinations.
Papa Yaw, a driver from Goaso in the Ahafo Region said fuel prices have seen a 5 times increment since GPRTU announced a 19 percent increment in transport fares on 24th October 2022.
“Oman, am telling you Mama Efe will have a lot of work to do because our wives will be reporting us to her every day, we can’t give them chop money, the maximum we offer is 10 cedis because fuel prices have been increased 5 times since our Union increases the transport fare by 19 per cent on October 24, he said.
Vivian Braimah, a second hand clothes vendor, said the higher transport costs and commodity prices had crippled businesses and affected the incomes of traders.
“Things are even more difficult for those with children of school-going age, because with my three children, their transport costs, food subsidies, and other costs have all doubled, and families can’t even enjoy three square meals a day,” he told Omanhene.
Vivian urged the government to introduce some measures to ease the hardships of citizens and lessen their plights a little.
Amid the hue and cry by Ghanaians, commercial bus drivers still have to seek further increases in their fares in line with the constant rise in petroleum prices.
“We have to start training to commute to work on foot because the transport fares may become unbearable,” said a caller
“It is no secret that our economy is going through difficult times. It is also no secret that we are not alone in this situation. Many of the phenomena we face are also apparent in many parts of the world,” Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo said late Sunday, during an address to the nation on economic hardship.
Source//sompaonline.com//Eric Murphy Asare
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