The Cat Is Out Of The Bag

Utility tariffs have suffered another upward adjustment; transport fares have had their turn already with commuters now coping with a 20 per cent hike.

Without doubt, the unfolding developments and their ensuing drain on the overstretched individual domestic budgets is a true reflection of the state of health of the economy.

Lying about the economy is an unsustainable venture because when the truth is eventually out, as being manifested in the crazy hikes, the insincerity of government, helplessness and desperation become abundantly evident.

The upward adjustments have come at a time when citizens, especially workers, are already suffering a general increment fatigue with a dismal effect on real incomes.

The utility companies have not put aside their usual �bettering and expanding services excuse� to push their adjustment agenda with the acquiescence of government.

In the face of the challenges in accessing medical delivery under a moribund National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the sad news for Ghanaians is that the country�s premier referral medical facility, the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, has also increased fees for their services at whopping percentages, which we can bet some patients might die in the process of seeking contributions to meet the new health costs.

It is interesting to note that the increase in the charges at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital has been done on the blind side of Parliament, put bluntly without the approval of the august house with impunity, as it were.

There is so much grumbling in town about the impunity with which such adjustments are being made to the detriment of the average worker, who even in the best of times, is unable to make ends meet without straining themselves dangerously.

There is speculation about a certain level of connivance between the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and the government in the matter of petroleum price hikes and increase in fares. The deal is so fine that it can easily escape notice of the ordinary mind.

We have noticed the consistency of the bi-weekly automatic upward adjustment of fuel prices. Each time this happens, the GPRTU announces that the hikes have not affected fares. The 20 per cent recent fare hike, as announced, is part of the deal and will always come after a few bi-weekly increments.

It is scary to conjecture what will happen in the next few months, if the current trend continues.

Government is in serious crisis as it unfolds draconian measures to contain the effects of the mismanagement of the economy.

The recent efforts at giving the economy a whitewash, even when the figures the propagandists are churning out do not reflect the facts, have by the killer hikes fallen flat.

Economic figures, unlike politics, are sensitive to propaganda and would soon isolate themselves from the chaff of propaganda as being witnessed on the ground.

God save Ghana.

Source: Editorial/Daily Guide