You are here: HomeNewsPolitics2013 09 26Article 287037

Politics of Thursday, 26 September 2013

Source: joyonline

AFAG rejects tariff increment; calls for mass action

Pressure group, Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG,) says there is no justification for the recent increment in utility tariffs by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).

PURC on Wednesday announced a 52 percent increment in water and 78.9 percent increment in electricity tariffs effective October 1.

The increment according to the Commission is to help the three main power companies in the country, the Volta River Authority (VRA) Ghana Grid Company (GRIDco)and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) run effectively.

But AFAG in a statement said Ghanaians do not have the capacity to absorb the shocks of the increment.

The group is, therefore, calling on all opposition parties especially the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to as a matter of urgency, organize mass actions to send a strong signal to government.

Below is the full statement

AFAG REJECTS TARIFFS INCREASES; POLITICAL PARTIES MUST RISE UP

There is no justification for increases in utility tariffs. Ghanaians have no value for money with regards to the provision of these services. The rush in tariff increase is just a passing of the buck. Government has failed woefully to fight corruption, and as is the case, the good people of this country will continue to pay for the price of this financial mess.

There is no confidence in this economy. Simply put; Ghana is gone bankrupt. We must embrace ourselves for the worst. This tariff increases will result in a consequential transmission effect. Ghanaians should be well positioned to absorb the shock of general price increases. The sad thing is that corruption will be on the ripe, and poverty to a soaring level.

AFAG believe that, is about time political parties stand up to the challenge of providing hope to the masses. As alternative governments in waiting, there is nothing wrong for the largest opposition party The New Patriotic Party (NPP) to rally together all other political parties in opposition for mass actions that will drum home to government, the sad story of the ordinary Ghanaian.

There is no hope for the Ghanaian. Everyone is silent, the TUC is neglecting, and the government is not listening. The time is now that, opposition political parties must see eye to eye, and rise up to the plight of the ever suffering Ghanaian.

AFAG is ever ready to ally on any course that will bring economic freedom to the Ghanaian.

God Bless Ghana.