Opposition pressure group Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) says government must increases salaries and wages of workers to enable them survive the high cost of living. At a press conference in Accra on Tuesday the group said with the 30% hike in fuel prices, government must increase wages and salaries to ensure workers are well cushioned against the expected high cost of living. “We want to remind the president’s economic advisory team that in the face of price increases that labour [does] not suffer money illusion; as prices go up labour expects an immediate increase in wages and salaries,” a member of the group, Daniel Marfo Ofori-Atta stressed. The group has also challenged labour unions such as the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Ghana National Association of Teacher (GNAT) and the National Association of Graduate Teachers to condemn the fuel increases considering the burden it puts on Ghanaians. AFAG threatened to stage a massive protest if government fails to increase the salaries and wages of workers. “Any attempt therefore by government to hold wages in the wake of prices increases as against the advice of seasoned economists will lead to civil unrest and many strike actions,” Mr Ofori-Atta threatened. The group also said its intelligence had gathered that Ghana’s government on the advice of the International Monetary Fund wanted to take off subsidies on utilities. Mr Ofori-Atta vowed that such a move would be seriously protested. AFAG launched into the media spotlight in the heat of the last vetting of ministers nominated by the President Atta Mills. The group accused the then designated minister such as Hannah Tetteh,Alhaji Muhammed Mumuni,Sherry Ayittey and Haruna Iddrisu of complicity in various malpractices. Although there has not been word from government on the group's demand, AFAG insists it would spearhead nationwide protests should their concerns be rubbished. Story by Fiifi Koomson/Myjoyonline.com