Drivers, who are already feeling the impact of the price hikes, after the suspension of the Price Stabilisation and Recovery Levy on petroleum products was reversed, have accused the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) of being insensitive.

0

In a letter dated April 3, the NPA instructed all Oil Marketing Companies and other stakeholders to implement a levy of 16 pesewas per litre on Petrol, 14 pesewas per litre on Diesel, and 14 pesewas per kilogram on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) starting from April 4, 2024.

1

While the reasons for the NPA's decision to reinstate the Price Stabilisation and Recovery Levy are unclear, some drivers claim they are unaware of the new tariff adjustments.Speaking to JoyNews on April 4, a driver said “I came here to get fuel and I realised that they've increased the fuel by 17 pesewas which is absurd. We didn't hear anything, we got up, no announcement, nothing and we woke up today to buy fuel and it's all increased.

2

Now in this country, they don't tell us anything, they just do anything they want.“Now it is GH₵13.79, before it was like GH₵13.20. Now they've increased everything. We are dying.”Another driver questioned whether the government intentionally aimed to hinder their ability to make ends meet.

3

He noted that the same liter of fuel they previously purchased for GH₵5 is now more expensive, causing frustration among the few Ghanaians who own vehicles.“The fuel is too high. At first, we buy one litre, GH₵5. Now, a litre is more than GH₵5, it's too bad. This thing is trying to weaken us.“How many people can drive? How can the country develop? If the fuel price is good, all other things will come down,” he said.

4

He also mentioned the challenge of finding passengers daily, and even when they do, there is often a need for more bargaining to reduce the fare.

5