Suspend taxes on petroleum products – TUC appeals to government
The sorry situation of Ghana’s economy has caused the Ghana Trades Union Congress to petition the Finance Ministry about some urgent demands to help alleviate the plight of workers in the face of the rising cost of living and also the skyrocketing fuel prices.
Written by Secretary-General Dr Yaw Baah on Monday, March 21, 2022, the letter was also addressed to the Employment and Labour Relations Ministry and also the Energy Ministry indicating that many workers, particularly those on fixed salaries, are being pushed below the poverty line by the recent developments.
“The situation must be addressed without further delay, otherwise many more Ghanaians will be pushed into destitution,” Dr Baah warned in the letter.
The letter complained about the fuel prices that have increased astronomically since January, obviously impacting the cost of living.
“We propose that Government must immediately suspend all taxes and levies on petrol, diesel, LPG, and kerosene.
“This should bring down prices of these fuel products by an average of about 15 per cent.
“The suspension should remain in force until the international price of crude oil stabilises and the decline of the Cedi has been halted.”
The TUC is optimistic that a reduction in fuel prices will translate into the price stabilisation of essential goods in the country.
“More importantly, suspending taxes and levies on these fuel products in these challenging times will demonstrate to Ghanaians that our government is sensitive to the plight of the people of Ghana.”
It also called on the government to review the method of fuel pricing while demanding the equipping of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) to avoid importation of crude oil.
