The recent transport fare increments which will take effect from Thursday need to be reviewed by government, failing which some measures will have to be instituted to cushion ordinary citizens from the increased financial burden, political analyst Irbard Ibrahim has admonished.
This follows a recent announcement by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) that transport fares will be increased by 15 per cent beginning Thursday, April 6.
GPRTU said in a statement that the increment was a result of the negotiation between government and transport unions.
However, Mr Irbard argues: “Despite touting the budget recently read in Parliament as an ‘Asempa’ budget, the fruits of that good news budget have put undue burden on the ordinary Ghanaian.”
In an interview with Class News, he said the “reduction in air fares with correlating astronomical hikes in trotro and taxi fares will only worsen the plight of millions of Ghanaians that commute to work daily”.
For him, the decision “is insensitive to ease the burden of the rich while adding to the plight of the poor”, adding: “Such a capitalist move is so unfortunate and could have unintended consequences on the fortunes of the ruling party in the long-term.”
He was of the opinion that “His Excellency and his team mean well for the economy” but tipping the balance of advantage towards the rich in this circumstance is rather unfortunate, insensitive and will leave “thousands of vulnerable school kids crossing major roads while they trek to school because their parents can’t afford transport fares”.
“Why reduce airfares for rich people whose kids get driven to school daily by chauffeurs while the kids of ordinary Ghanaians risk being knocked down as they brave perilous routes to school on foot?” he questioned.
For him, it will be better for government to “reduce road fares now before accumulated disenchantment leads” to unpleasant circumstances for government.
Source: Ghana/AccraFM.com
