Hundreds demonstrate against high utility tariffs

Kumasi, June 9, GNA - Hundreds of people angered by the recent increases in electricity and water tariffs on Wednesday hit the streets of Kumasi to demand a freeze on the new charges.
Organized by the Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG), a pressure group, the placard bearing demonstrators marched through some principal streets of the Metropolis and later converged at the Centre for National Culture, where they were addressed by their leaders.
"Ghana is moving backwards," "Where is the I care for you slogan?," "Save us from tax epidemic in Ghana," "We are getting poorer," "Harsh economic policies will kill us," "NDC One, NDC Two, the value is the same," and "Reduce water and electricity tariffs now" read some of the placards.
Henry Asante, Communications Director of the People's National Convention, Kwabena Bomfeh, National Youth Organiser of the Convention People's Party, Anthony Karbo, National Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party, Appiatu Ankrah, former Member of Parliament of Lower West Akyem, a nd Ms Frances Essiam were among those who took turns to address the protesto rs. Mr Asante urged the government to deliver on his election pledge of maki ng life better for Ghanaians.
The people, he said, were becoming fed up with the bad economic policies of the government which were worsening their economic situation. "If the Mills Administration really cares about improving the living conditions of the ordinary Ghanaian then we expect it to act firmly to reduce the increases in tariffs". Mr Karbo denounced what he called the mismanagement of the economy, add ing that the NDC had proved to be incapable of addressing the socio-economic needs of the people. This, he said, was evidenced from the near collapse of the National Yout h Employment Programme and National Health Insurance Scheme, just two years
into the Mills Administration. Ms Essiam said similar demonstrations would be held across the country until government rescinded the decision to increase the tariffs.