Fuel is always a political commodity. It is not necessarily the fixation of oil production by oil producing countries but also decision whether oil prices should be increased or not, can trigger political backlash.
Recently, Ghana, mostly a petroleum consuming country in the African continent also had to face a similar situation. A rumour about the likely increase in oil prices at the direction of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) at the fuel pumps had set in a public commotion. Finally, President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had to intervene to scotch the rumours.
The NPA, the watch dog of petroleum related issues, served a notice on December 16, 2019, directing oil marketing companies to effect a 4 pesewa adjustment in the price of fuel. This had angered a cross-session of Ghanaians including the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC). They threatened legal action against the move by the NPA and asked to roll back the increase. They questioned the authority of NPA to levy the increase. Only the finance minister has the authority to increase the taxes. That can be effective only when Parliament discusses the subject and approves it. NPA, the consumers’ group argued does not have the authority to impose any tax on its own without following the due procedure and termed such assertions on the part of NPA was clearly unconstitutional and illegal. Presidential intervention to stall the move to increase the fuel prices vindicated their stand.
