The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers Ghana, (COPEC) says government is being economical with the truth about matters concerning fuel prices, particularly on the factors that are influencing a spike in the prices of the commodity.

Executive Secretary of the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers Ghana, (COPEC), Duncan Amoah, said contrary to claims that the hike in fuel prices is a global phenomenon, the development is the result of government’s failure to take steps aimed at cushioning consumers.

“We hear the rationale from government spokespersons on (the spike in) fuel prices and that it’s a global phenomenon and that nothing can be done about the situation.

“We say to them that this is a big lie. International development has nothing to do with this,” he said.  

He made the assertion on JoyNews’ the Probe as part of conversations on the escalating fuel prices and strategies that can be adopted to cushion consumers.

He contended that government’s refusal to scrap certain taxes on petroleum is a leading contributor to the development.

“You [government] are collecting taxes such as the Price Stabilisation. You collecting taxes that you name Special Petroleum tax and all these have nothing to do with global development,” he said.

He also bemoaned what he said was double taxation slapped on the product. He cited for instance the Energy Sector Levy and the Energy Sector Fund and said dealing with that can save consumers about 69 pesewas of the price of the product.

“So it’s not as though factors in Ukraine and Russia is affecting Ghana badly,” he said.

He predicted more hikes in the price of the product if government fails to intervene in the rising price of crude oil.