Fuel Price Increment Is Based On Poor Economy and Not On World Crude Oil Price

A member of the NPP communications team, Asamoah Gyamfi , has said that the fuel price increment is based on the depreciation of the Ghana cedi and not on the world crude oil price as stated by the National Petroleum Authority(NPA). He explained that during ex- President Kuffour�s regime, the world crude oil price soared up to about $147 per barrel and petrol was being sold for Ghc5 per gallon, which indicated that petroleum prices were relatively lower during the Kufuor era than the current Mahama-led NDC administration, even though the current world crude oil price stood at $116 per barrel, but was selling at Ghc 9.22 per gallon. The exchange rate of our currency according to Asamoah Gyamfi is very bad which has caused the price build up on petroleum products. Speaking on Accra-based Hot FM Monday morning, the ardent NPP communicator said that the NDC should come out to admit their poor economic performance; adding that this act (the fuel increment) will inflict more pain on Ghanaians. Meanwhile, government through the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has announced a 15 to 20% increase in the cost of petroleum products. A statement signed by the Chief Executive of the NPA, Alex Mould said per the new price, petrol will now be sold at Ghc 9.22 up from the previous Ghc7 cedis per gallon. �The maximum indicative price for a litre of petrol will be Ghc 2.0496 (Ghc 9.22 per gallon) and the maximum indicative prices for a litre of diesel will be Ghc 2.0683 (Ghc 9.31 per gallon),� the NPA boss said. Kerosene is also up by 15% and will be selling at 104.65 pesewas per litre; adding that LPG is up by 50% and will be selling at 194.85 per litre or Ghc 24.36 per a 12.5kg cylinder. The statement added that the workout above indicates government has maintained some subsidy on the prices of petroleum products. It further mentioned that the new prices are based on the crude oil price of $116 per barrel and an exchange rate of Ghc 1.89/USD.