'Wahalaians' Defy Morning Drizzle in K'si

THE COMMITTEE for Joint Action (CJA), the pressure group that is at loggerheads with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government over fuel price increase, yesterday staged a 'defiant-drizzle' demonstration in Kumasi as part of its attempt to compel government to reduce the current prices of petroleum products.

The demonstration, described as the 'phase II' of the CJA's show of disapproval of increment in fuel prices, brought activities at the Central Business District of the metropolis to a standstill, leaving observers spellbound.

Although the number was a handful against a police contingent of about 300, the demonstrators were able to endear themselves to the people of the city, sending home their message, which also received mixed reactions/feelings spontaneously from some members of the public.

While some hailed the demonstration, others scolded it and later described it as "mischievous", intended to score political points.

The march started at about 11:10am from the main Kumasi Post Office, through the principal streets, and ended at about 12:40pm at the Jackson Park, where various speakers addressed the gathering.

A member of the CJA, Mrs. Ama Benyiwa-Doe, told the gathering that the recent increases in petroleum products prices was a clear demonstration of the NPP government's insensitivity to the plight of the ordinary man on the street.

According to the NDC Women's Organizer, in the year 2000, President Kufuor (then a presidential candidate) described the ?6,000 per gallon of petrol price as criminal, but could now sell his at ?38,000 with much impunity to the chagrin of Ghanaians.

She said the government of the NPP had told several lies to the citizens of this country, and these the CJA wanted to expose to make the truth known.

She made several inferences against the Finance and Economic Planning Minister, Mr. Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, to the effect that he had misinformed the Ghanaian public about the minimum wage figure in 2001, as reported.

According to her, the Minister failed to do proper research, hence producing "wrong figures" for the consumption of Ghanaians.

To her, NPP government had disappointed Ghanaians who thought they could find intellectuals and professionals to manage the economy of the country well in 2000.

On his part, Mr. Johnson Aseidu-Nketiah (a.k.a. General Mosquito) alleged that President Kufuor was only doing "trial and error" with the governance of the State and used the reshuffle as the premise of his assertion.

According to him, Mr. Kufuor's constant reshuffle of Ministers is also aimed at thwarting the effort of any new government that would take over from him after 2008 to know the mix-ups caused, but however stated that NDC government would find them out and prosecute them when it assumed power again.

He criticized the government for scraping away the youths from his government following the changes made recently. According to him, none of the current ministries has the integration of the youth, which he said called for greater concern by all, including the Youth Wing of the NPP.

On the fuel prices and taxes, the NDC General Secretary indicated that hyping of excessive taxes on petroleum products was lazy economics, adding that the government's 20% salary increase is nothing but hypocritical, since it does not cater for non-salary workers and the unemployed who form the greater chunk of the country's population.

Alhaji Mohammed Sannie, NDC First Vice Chairman for Ashanti Region, indicted the NPP government of throwing dust into the eyes of the public by its pronouncements on the price fixing of fuel in the country, whilst the Bawku Central MP said the call by the Finance and Economic Planning Minister was an indication of the positive impact the CJA's demonstrations was making.

He believed the present government had managed the economy so badly that its mandate should not be renewed in order not to further impoverish Ghanaians.

Other members who took turns to address the crowd were Elvis Afiriyie Ankrah - NDC Deputy General Secretary, and PNC's Bernard Monah. Even though Messrs Kwamena and Ato Ahwoi were present, they remained in their car.