Ghanaian journalist, Samuel Eshun has said that he will be very disappointed if the transport unions do not embark on their intended strike.
Samuel posits that this action will be the only way to “compel” the government to do something about the situation that has affected all Ghanaians.
Some driver unions threatened to withdraw their services on Thursday at 3 pm if the government did not scrap some taxes off petroleum products. However, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) urged drivers to suspend their intended strike.
Reacting to this development, Samuel Eshun said on the Happy Morning Show, “I will be very disappointed in the transport unions if this strike does not happen. I am expecting transport operators to go on this strike because I sat here and clapped for them. This is because it has been the usual rhetoric that the prices of fuel are increased and that affects transport fares. But this time around, they say ‘no’, something can be done about it. So if the only way to compel government and officials who don’t feel the pinch we are feeling is the strike action, what stops us from embarking on the strike?”
The seasoned journalist lamented that as an “ordinary Ghanaian”, he is also feeling the impact of these taxes on the prices of petroleum products in the country. He added that if no action is taken now, Ghanaians will not enjoy the festive season ahead.
Some Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) increased the price of fuel at the pump stations by about 10 pesewas. A litre of petrol is currently being sold at about GH₵6.90 at most fuel vending stations.
The increment in fuel prices led to the decision by the driver unions to embark on strike action. These unions made demands for the government to scrap some taxes on petroleum products otherwise they will withdraw their services on Thursday at 3:00 pm.
But the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) urged drivers to suspend their intended strike.
A recent development, however, is that some 16 drivers’ unions have agreed to call off the strike slated for Thursday, November 11.
They are expecting their concerns to be addressed during the budget presentation by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta. They add, however, that if their expectations are not met, they will resume the strike.
