Former President John Dramani Mahama has bemoaned what he said is the continually increase in cost of living in the country which has made life difficult and unbearable for Ghanaians.
In his May Day’s message to workers, Mr. Mahama observed that living conditions of Ghanaians have deteriorated under the current government and are expected to worsen with the introduction of new taxes which has led to the rise in cost of essential commodities like fuel, foodstuffs and other items coupled with frequent power outages and water shortages in some parts of the country.
“Unfortunately, in Ghana, we are going through unbearable hardship and suffering from an ever-increasing cost of living. Incidentally, an increase in existing taxes & introduction of new ones, and which take effect from today, May Day, is leading to steep rises in the prices of fuel, food & every basic item.
This will worsen the plight of citizens even further. This is in addition to power outages and shortage of water in many homes, cities and municipalities,” he stated in a post on social media.
The situation, he opined, needs to be salvaged and therefore, he called on President Akufo-Addo to take appropriate measures that will relief Ghanaians of the economic hardships and sufferings.
He also urged the President to seek assistance from Ghanaians who are capable of playing critical roles in rescuing the country from what he said is the abyss it is falling into stating that the NDC is ready to offer constructive suggestions that will bring the country back on the path of growth and prosperity.
“On this May Day 2021, with hardship set to worsen, I call on His Excellency President Nana Akufo-Addo to stretch a hand of cooperation to all Ghanaians, able to play a role in rescuing our dear nation from the abyss it is falling.
On this occasion of May Day, as I salute the suffering workers of Ghana and all Ghanaians, let me also take the opportunity to wish the President, Nana Akufo-Addo, well and urge him to take the measures needed to bring relief to suffering Ghanaians,” he added.
Ghanaians, on May 1, 2021, were greeted with increases in essential and basic commodities like fuel, call and data charges among others.
This is as result of the introduction of some new taxes and levies on petroleum products and financial transactions by government in the 2021 budget which took effect on May 1.
Transport fares and general cost of living are also expected to go up in the day coming days.
However, there is no indication that workers particularly in the public sector will witness increase in salaries as government announced a freeze on increment of salaries of members of the executive arm of government, a move the opposition NDC believes is a subtle announcement of a no salary increment for public sector workers.
