Africa-Press – Ghana. The Cabinet has directed the Ministers of Finance, Energy and Green Transition to take immediate steps to mitigate the impact of the United States and Israel war with Iran on the energy sector of the country.
The two Ministers are to take immediate steps to reduce the price of fuel through the removal of some taxes and margins on fuel, effective the next pricing window, which is about a week from today.
Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Presidential Spokesman and Minister of State in-charge of Government Communications said this was reached during an emergency Cabinet Meeting chaired by President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday, April 9.
Speaking at a press conference at the Presidency in Accra, Mr Ofosu said the emergency Cabinet meeting was held to discuss the effects of the recent significant geopolitical developments in the shape of the US-Israeli-Iranian conflict and its impact on fuel prices.
He said since the start of the conflict, the price of crude oil and finished products had gone up significantly, which had impacted economies around the world, especially regarding the price of fuel at the pump.
“So, the Cabinet convened a session to review these developments, assess its impact on the people of Ghana, and consider ways through which this can be mitigated,” the Minister said.
He said the Cabinet noted that despite the cushioning effects of the economic gains that they had made, there had still been some impacts on fuel prices at the pump.
He said Cabinet had decided that measures be taken to mitigate the impact of the recent increases that Ghanaians had seen in fuel prices, which were solely attributable to the conflict that had arisen.
The first directive Cabinet issued is that the Finance and Energy Ministers should take immediate steps to reduce the price of fuel through the removal of some taxes and margins on fuel, effective the next pricing window, which is about a week from today.”
Secondly, the Transport Minister has also been instructed to ensure the expedited deployment of the 100 newly acquired Metro Mass buses, which arrived in the country last week.
He said another batch of 100 buses were expected in August with the next batch of 100, expected in November to make up 300.
Mr Ofosu said the Transport Minister had been instructed by the Cabinet to ensure expedited deployment of these buses in high-traffic corridors to ensure that it alleviates any difficulties that might have arisen out of the recent fuel prices increases.
“The Transport Minister has also been charged to ensure that these Metro Mass buses, in addition to the existing ones, charge or maintain transport fares which are lower than what private sector operators charge,” he said.
“And this is to ensure that the needs are cushioned, especially when we reach peak periods at the rush hour.”
For More News And Analysis About Ghana Follow Africa-Press
