This is not a political piece
It is not a treatise on economics
Read it all through to the end.
It is not what you think it will be.
When was that? Sunday, 18th February 2013. I had come back from church exhausted. I devoured my supper like a hungry lion. I enjoyed every grain of the jollof rice I was served for supper. The taste was enhanced because its preparation was tampered with love. Have you ever tasted food like that? After supper, I turned to the television thinking about how I would overcome laziness and move to my room, take of my clothes and shower before I allow sleep to kiss my brows good night. What I saw shocked me. Thank God I had already finished my meal.
The news could probably have left the food sour in my mouth. Fuel prices have gone up again. While analyst were debating the economic impact and the necessity or otherwise of the decision taken, a large section of the general the general public sampled greeted the decision with disdain.
A particular respondent vented so much of his anger on the authorities because, according to him, the general public was not duly informed of the impending price hikes. He had come to the bus terminal hoping to make his journey back home only to be told that the prices had changed. WHAT A SHOCK!
If you lived in places where drivers and their conductors are suspect, it is not uncommon to see passengers fighting with conductors just because they are of the opinion that they are being swindled when fare prices change.
Just look at this, in a country like Ghana where majority of the over 24million people live on less than $2.00 a day, one can understand why government policy which triggers increase in prices across board will meet public outcry. Each of these people living with less than $2 a day cannot even afford a gallon of diesel which is in excess of $3.
I thought for a moment. Is this not what we experience all the time? Can we not see that the way of the future is subsidy removal? I am not here to argue for or against subsidy removal. I am of the opinion that, our politicians do not hold the key to solving our problems. They use decisions such as subsidy removal and liberalisation to garner favour from foreign donors, such as the IMF and World Bank. They want to be seen as dedicated to ensuring fiscal discipline when they do not do anything about their spending spree which is largely responsible for the huge budget deficit, the excuse to increase fuel prices when global crude oil prices go up.
Fuel prices have become a thorny political issue. Let’s leave that discussion to the politicians.
Every political party is suspect. The general public have trusted in politicians to turn their economic woes around.
Every increase in fuel prices lead to untold hardship to the populace. The situation is not about to change anytime soon. What if you could take advantage and position yourself for the future?
What if you could provide succour for car owners and firms who use fuel?
What if you could also improve the purchasing power of the passengers by giving them the opportunity to earn supplemental income? Can you imagine the joy you will put on people’s faces.
Can you see that right in front of you is a great business opportunity?
I found in Dr. Mensah Otabil’s quote an important motivation. “ … in every adversity, there is an equal potential advantage.”
Why don’t you find out the possibility of improving people’s lives?
Can you think of anyway/opportunity that can provide succour to anyone concerned when there are fuel-price hikes? Please share your opportunity in the comments box. It could be of great help. No spammy links please.
You can also ask for suggestions. I will answer your questions.
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To your success
Eyram Hlortsi