Founder of the People’s National Party (PNP), Janet Nabla, has warned that any government that lacks the authority and political will to force transport unions to reduce fares should not be voted into office.
Speaking on Prime Insight on Joy Prime on Saturday, January 10, she argued that despite improvements in fuel prices and the strength of the cedi in President Mahama’s first year in office, ordinary Ghanaians are not feeling the impact because transport fares remain high.
“I never voted for a driver. If I knew the government would be incompetent and couldn’t do anything when oppressors are oppressing the masses, I would not go and join a queue to vote,” she said.
She said it is unacceptable for a government to claim success in managing the economy when the benefits do not reach the majority of citizens who rely on public transport.
“Any political party that cannot force the transportation sector to reduce prices to help the masses is not supposed to contest in elections. It means you are incompetent at the word go.”
She acknowledged that the current government has made notable gains in stabilising the economy, particularly in fuel prices and the exchange rate, and said these efforts deserve recognition.
“It’s true that when the NPP was leaving, the cedi was about 14 Ghana cedis to one dollar, and now it’s about 10 cedis something. Fuel was also about GH₵14.75 pesewas, and today you can get fuel for about GH₵10. This is a remarkable achievement, and we should praise the NDC government for what they have done.”
She commended the Energy Minister for what she described as passion and commitment to the sector.
“This is a guy who has been passionate about fuel and its components. He is in power, and he is actually doing it, and we should give them credit for managing these sectors very well,” she said.
However, she said that the reduction in fuel prices has largely benefited wealthier Ghanaians, not the ordinary citizen.
“When you look at the impact of fuel in the lives of Ghanaians, it is the bourgeoisie, those who are rich, who are benefiting. The ordinary Ghanaian is not benefiting from the GH₵10 fuel.”
She said that most Ghanaians do not own private cars and depend entirely on public transport, making transport costs a key issue for any serious government.
“How many people in Ghana have their own cars? “Maybe 20 per cent. The remaining 80 per cent are using public transport.”
Ms Nabla also criticised transport unions for praising the government without reflecting the reality faced by commuters.
“I recall the GPRTU praising the President for how they have handled fuel prices. But where is the reduction? Fuel is GH₵10, yet transport fares are seven or GH₵8.”
“When you go to Western countries, the government does not leave everything to free market forces,” she said. “For food, rent, and transportation, there is some level of intervention,” she added.
“Prices are going down, but the masses are not benefiting,” she said.
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