Mills explains rationale for increase in fuel prices

Accra, June 11, GNA - Government has no intention to cause pain to Ghanaians, and last week's announcement of increase in prices of petroleum products stemmed out of economic circumstances, President John Evans Atta Mills said on Thursday.

He said the government was in power to improve on the standard of living of the people but would always tell the truth no matter how painful it is. President Mills said this when a delegation of the chiefs and elders of the Anlo Traditional Area paid a courtesy call on him at the Castle, Osu.

The delegation, led by Torgbui Gbordzor III, Dufia of Woe and Dutsifiagah of the Anlo State, discussed the increase in fuel prices. The chiefs, who congratulated President Mills on his assumption to the office of president, assured him that they would remain steadfast to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on the condition that it delivered on its promises. They called on government to improve the road networks in the region and pay compensation to people who were affected by the construction of the Keta Sea Defence Wall. The chiefs also appealed to the government to establish the Keta Basin Development Authority to be responsible for the socio-economic development of the area with potentials in fishing, eco-tourism, holiday resort and a cultural centre.

The delegation also requested the government to set up an probe into the 2007 Anlo chieftaincy disturbances and rehabilitate or complete or expand a number of health institutions including those at Anloga, Anyanui, Akatsi and the St Anthony Hospital at Dodze. President Mills said the government would not take the support of the people of the Volta Region and the rest of the nation for granted. He however said the government was faced with challenges to repair an inherited economy that was not what Ghanaians were made to believe had been.

According to the President the government inherited an economy with a 15 per cent budget deficit, and the records also showed that the previous government was spending more than it collected. Moreover there were huge debts owed to petroleum companies to the extent that they had refused to give supplies to Ghana. He said there was the need to get enough revenue to liquidate those debts.

Expressing belief in his economic management team, President Mills said the government would make sure it built a strong economy to address the concerns of Ghanaians. He re-echoed Government's determination to check malfeasance in public office, and said nobody had a divine right to rule Ghana. The President condemned the attitude of some Ghanaians who infringed on the laws of the land with impunity and restated that the government would let the law take its course no matter how long that would last. "The wheels of justice move slowly, but they get to their destination in the end," President Mills said. 11 June 09