The Trade Union Congress (TUC) says the government must adopt a practical approach to control fuel prices, at least for a six-month period to avoid frequent increases.
It said the regular minimal increases in fuel only gives room for business and traders to increase prices of their goods and services thereby posing economic hardship on the public.
Dr. Kwabena Nyarko Otoo, the Director of Labour Research and Policy Institute at the Trades Union Congress (TUC) said this in an interview with the Goldstreet Business in Accra on Wednesday.
Prices of fuel in the country have been increased twice in less than two months, with a liter of petrol being sold at GHc5.21p as of Monday from a previous prize of GHc 5.07p
The new price has been highlighted on the notice boards at various filling stations in Accra.
Dr. Otoo suggested that the government pays critical attention to the petroleum prices build-up on the international market to enable it, control and stabilize fuel prices in Ghana.
Public concerns
Meanwhile, a section of the public has also decried the frequent increase in petrol prices and has asked the government to quickly intervene in the matter.
While drivers are worried about the situation, passengers have also appealed to the president to help mitigate the impact of the fuel prices on the public.
A passenger who spoke to the Goldstreet Business said it has become very difficult to live a decent life in Ghana and increasing the prices of fuel was not the best at this time.
Fuel increase on the international market.
The Executive Director of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Mr. Hassan Tampuli indicated in an interview on Citi FM, an Accra based radio station that the increase in the fuel prices was due to surges on the international markets.
“Liquified Petroleum Gas has gone up by about 2.21 per cent on the international market, petrol has gone up by 0.94 per cent while diesel has also increased by 6.30 per cent on the international market which has an effect on the local markets,” he said.
By Linda Naa Deide Aryeetey