Dr Dickson Adomako Kissi, the MP for Anyaa-Sowutuom, has admitted that there is economic hardship in the country since prices of goods and services rise daily but salaries remain unchanged.He blamed the increase in fuel prices observed worldwide for the recent condition Ghanaians are facing.Per media reports, the Russia-Ukraine war is exacerbating the rise in fuel prices.

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His analysis was that, the cost of transportation is affected by changes in price of fuel, and the former affects the prices of general goods and services, hence the rise in fuel prices is expected to affect the welfare of individuals.“The key thing about prices is transportation goods and the key index there is fuel. Everything runs on fuel. That is a fact.

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Once fuel prices worldwide have issues and are not controlled necessarily by government, these are expected.“These are facts. The key thing is that, world wide, prices are changing almost every three weeks or so and that is a fact. Whether you are an oil producing country or not, you don't have the luxury of fixing your prices.

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”Following the economic principle that needs and wants are limitless, however, resources are scarce, he advised Ghanaians to adjust their daily spending as that is the only way to ensure savings.“I beg Ghanaians, we all need to adjust and the appropriate word is tightening our belts in the sense that, that is the only way you can save some money.If I'm visiting twice a week, I have to change that.

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Salaries are not going up and that is a fact, but our needs and demands are going up.”According to him, Members of Parliament are also being affected by the recent economic challenges.Dr Dickson Adomako Kissi revealed that the number of constituents he assists in a week has doubled, thereby affecting the weight in his pocket.“The pain is not discriminatory. Every part of the country is going through it.

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Once our constituency members are struggling, we are struggling. We are going through what they are going through. If there were 10 people coming to me for help, obviously now it is 20 and that drains all of us.”Due to the weight, the MP is thinking of running a series to inform Ghanaians on the responsibilities of Members of Parliament.

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Ghanaians are to brace themselves because the Institute of Energy Security (IES) has predicted that a litre of petrol will be sold at GH₵12.Currently, a litre of petrol and diesel are selling at GH₵9.85 and GH₵11.95 respectively at the pumps.There have been no comments about transport fares increasing yet should the prediction come to pass.Already, transport prices have been reviewed twice this year.

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The first was in February, by 15% and the second, in May, by 20%.These adjustments have affected the prices of commodities. A ball of kenkey is currently going for GH₵3.Source: The Independent Ghana

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