Deputy Energy Minister Dr Kwabena Donkor has blamed the erstwhile New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the current hikes in fuel prices. The minister says the then governing party left a huge debt commitment for the current administration hence the need for upward adjustments in fuel prices. Dr Donkor was reacting to comments by pressure group Committee for Joint Action that the Mills administration is refusing to think outside the box for alternatives to permanently solve the country’s fuel problems. In a press statement signed by a member of the group, Kwesi Adu, the CJA said the recent price hikes are unacceptable because they would worsen the economic hardship for Ghanaians. Government on Friday announced a 30% increase in fuel prices, driving transport fares up 17%. The group has in time past registered its protest at fuel price increases with huge demonstrations. But reacting to the issues Dr Donkor said the former government must be blamed for the upward adjustments. “We had come into government inheriting huge debt commitments with monies running into several billions of dollars. “These developments clearly inform the position taken by the current administration,” he stated. He disagreed with the position of the CJA, saying “government is taking very pragmatic measures to address the problem.” The Energy Minister cited negotiations between the Vice President John Dramani Mahama and the Libyan authorities to get crude products from the country supplied to Ghana at fixed prices. “Again we have also we’ve gone back to Nigeria and we are renegotiating the expired agreement with them,” he emphasized. Officials of the NPP have in earlier interviews with Joy FM lambasted the government, stressing, the Mills-led administration had deceived the citizenry. Former deputy Energy Minister KT Hammond has lashed out at the NDC for pledging during the lead up to the last elections to substantially decrease fuel prices, only to turn round and increase fuel prices. Story by Fiifi Koomson/Myjoyonline.com