The Member of Parliament (MP) for Adansi Asokwa, Kobina Tahir Hammond, yesterday sparked anger on social media, after stating that he had no idea of the current fuel prices as he does not have a car to buy fuel.
This was in response to Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, who sought to inquire from KT Hammond during the committee hearing on the motion of censure against the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, whether he was aware of the current fuel prices.
Mr K.T. Hammond, who is also a Chairman on the committee, in response said “I don’t buy fuel, I don’t have a car so I don’t buy fuel”.
His response led to him topping trends on social media platform; Twitter with some Ghanaians have shared mixed feelings about the comments made by K. T. Hammond while others took him on over his comment that he does not have a car hence the reason he is unaware of the current hike in fuel prices.
“I don’t have a car. I don’t buy fuel, KT Hammond, Me: Does he fly to parliament and his constituency?” Marcusadampah tweeted.
“I just burst out laughing when I saw KT Hammond as the chair. This seating will drag with a lot of interference from him,” kwantw3fo added.
Many people also pulled out a publication by Joy FM dated 3 November 2022, in which KT Hammond was quoted as lamenting about the cost of fuel in Ghana saying “it is almost turned into a ‘third world war’ when I bought fuel at a station”.
Speaking to JoyNews at Parliament on Thursday, 3 November, 2022, the Adansi Asokwah MP, K.T Hammond revealed he nearly fought with a fuel attendant when he purchased fuel and the price had almost doubled.
The MP lamented the current hardship the fuel price increment has brought to Ghanaians.
“A few days ago, I went to the garage, they pumped the fuel into the car and they came to give me the bill, it almost turned into a third world war at the station. I asked why is he giving me this and he said just yesterday price of Super moved to what the price of diesel used to be.
The recent increase in fuel prices is hitting the pockets of people in high places including lawmakers.
Diesel is currently selling for more than ₵23 whilst the price of petrol is hovering around ₵18.
“It is a particularly difficult situation and I do not envy the lot. Those who are really having to juggle,” he said.
He, however, said Ghanaians are better off since we do not have to queue to get fuel as it is happening in other countries.
“It is not a situation peculiar to only Ghana. We have heard about the situation in Sri Lanka. It is a redeeming situation for those of us in Ghana. At least, we are not in long queues. Oil-producing countries like Nigeria and others are all in queues, we are not.”
The Mines and Energy Committee member attributed the current price hikes to Oil Marketing Companies and Bulk Distribution Companies trying to make astronomical profits. He nonetheless did not rule out the poor performance of the cedi as a factor.
“It’s the OMC, the big ones and the BDCs. I have a problem and they better sort it out well. They got the dollar at whatever rate so somebody should pay for it…I am concerned that some OMCs are making unnecessary profits and I think we should be careful how they are also playing the market, we are in this together,” he stated.
According to him, he is completely against removing taxes and other margins on the fuel price build-up.
He stressed that there are serious governmental efforts underway to ease the pressure in the system.
“President is travelled out of the country many times and sent out a delegation to make sure that in a very short time we would be able to flood the market with some petroleum products. I am not happy with the way the BDCs are going about this situation,” he added.
Ken Ofori-Atta, the Finance Minister, has appeared before the ad hoc committee to probe allegations in a vote of a censure motion against him.
The eight-member committee is to be co-chaired by Dominic Ayine (MP for Bolgatanga East) and KT Hammond (MP for Adansi-Asokwa). Members from the majority side include; Patrick Boamah, Andrew Agyapa Mercer (MP for Sekondi), and Kwame Anyimadu Antwi. Members from the minority include Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings (MP for Korle Klottey), Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP for North Tongu), and Bernard Ahiafor (MP for Akatsi South).
The committee is expected to submit a report within seven days.
