NDC MP John Jinapor Denies Claims About Fuel Price Reduction Stance

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Yapei-Kusawgu, John Abdulai Jinapor, has rubbished comments attributed to him alleging that the NDC will not reduce fuel prices if they come to power. According to Mr. Jinapor, these comments are false, baseless, and do not represent the facts.

"On the contrary, I stated that if the Akufo-Addo government cannot reduce the prices of petroleum products, they must not allow the prices to go through the roofs as we are currently witnessing. This admonishing cannot be construed to mean the next NDC government will not reduce the prices of petroleum products," he explained.

The clarification from the MP follows various news publications attributed to him after his appearance on Adom TV’s Badwam show on July 12, 2024. During discussions, Mr. Jinapor is alleged to have said that it would be difficult for the NDC to reduce prices of petroleum products if they win the 2024 elections.

“There are two fundamental issues about petroleum prices. If you cannot reduce it, don’t let it go up too much, that’s the first thing we should look at. If you reduce the price, you have to make provision for it in the budget. I will not tell you that because we want to win power, I should lie to you that if we come we shall reduce fuel prices, no, that will not happen,” the NDC MP said.

“We have to be realistic because we need to pay hospitals, we have to build roads and schools. When you are managing an economy, you have to balance it,” John Jinapor further stated in response to a question posed by a taxi driver.

But reacting to the backlash from the comments, the MP urged the public to treat the said publication with the contempt it deserves.

Press Release

For Immediate Release

July 21, 2024

RE: Next NDC Government will not reduce fuel price – John Jinapor tells drivers

My attention has been drawn to some online publications and in some electronic media with the above misleading headline. I wish to state emphatically that the said publication is false, baseless, contrived, and therefore, does not represent the facts. At no point in my presentation did I make any remarks to the effect that the next NDC government will not reduce the prices of petroleum products. Indeed, the online video is available for verification.

On the contrary, I stated that if the Akufo Addo government cannot reduce the prices of petroleum products, they must not allow the prices to go through the roofs as we are currently witnessing. This admonishing cannot be construed to mean the next NDC government will not reduce the prices of petroleum products.

I entreat the public to treat the said publication with the contempt it deserves.

It is a well-known fact that the NDC government under President Mahama managed the prices of petroleum products in an effective and efficient manner. Regrettably, the price of a gallon of petrol, which was sold under the NDC government for GHS 14, today now sells at about GHS 60 (more than 400% increment) under this clueless and incompetent government.

The abysmal performance of the Akufo Addo/Bawumia-led government has culminated in a very serious economic meltdown with the Ghanaian cedis depreciating at an unprecedented rate, leading to inflation never witnessed in the 4th republican dispensation. Rather than using limited resources to concoct and churn out false narratives, the Bawumia-led economic management team should focus on fixing the economy to reduce the overbearing economic hardships being experienced by the ordinary Ghanaian.

Thank you.

SIGNED

Hon John Abdulai Jinapor

(Chairman, NDC Energy Manifesto Committee)