The Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Moses Asaga has confirmed plans by the government to remove subsidies on petroleum products.
He however refrained from giving the exact date on which this will be done except to say that it will certainly be before the end of this year.
A final decision, he explained, would have to be discussed with stakeholders, especially the leadership of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) since the removal of subsidies will affect transport fares directly.
Mr. Asaga assured that the removal of the subsidies will be done in a gradual manner.
Speaking on Joy FM/MultiTV’s Current Affairs programme Newsfile on Saturday, he stressed the action has become necessary because the government can no longer bear the huge cost of subsidizing petroleum products while other critical sectors of the economy yearn for resources.
According to him, every government has its own way of cushioning life for the people and the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) as a social democratic party had decided to subsidize petroleum products for citizens.
He however pointed out that “times have changed and we can no longer bear the subsidies,” hence, the plan to remove them so that consumers will pay the right price.
