CLAIM: Dr. Omane Boamah claimed President Nana Akufo-Addo’s tenure has seen the price of fuel increase at least 22 times.
TRUE: Fuel prices have gone up more than 22 times from January 2017 to the time the claim was made. Data from the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and Total Petroleum Ghana Limited support the claim.
Full Text
We recall when quondam Minister of Communications, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, claimed the President had increased fuel prices more than 22 times since coming into office; what’s more, he addressed President Akufo-Addo in an open letter.
On August 14, 2019, some media organisations including myjoyonline.com and starrfm.com published the letter. The claim also made a Twitter and Facebook appearance; amassing over 218 likes, 133 comments and 100 shares.
“You have increased fuel prices more than 22 times since you became President”
Dr Omane Boamah
Well if you have wondered how true this assertion is, we address it today…
Verification
Firstly, we contacted the speaker to ascertain his source. However, our messages to Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, went unanswered.
Next, we turned to the National Petroleum Authority (NPA)- established by an Act of Parliament (NPA Act 2005, ACT 691) to regulate, oversee and monitor the petroleum downstream industry in Ghana. One of its core functions is to price petroleum products in the country.
Interestingly, data obtained from the NPA on the average market prices of petrol and diesel shows that fuel prices had indeed gone up more than 22 times from January 2017 to August 2019.
Matter of fact, petrol prices have gone up a total of 31 times; between January 2017 and August 2019. As depicted in the graph below, petrol prices were increased 11 times in 2017, 13 times in 2018 and 7 times between January and August 2019. For diesel, prices were increased 34 times; 13 times in 2017, 12 times in 2018 and 9 times from January to August 2019.
Additionally, we contacted an Oil Marketing Company (OMC), Total Petroleum Ghana Limited, to verify the claim. The cost of petrol and diesel went up 23 and 26 times respectively over the period. It increased 9 times in 2017; 10 times in 2018; and 4 times from January to August 2019. Diesel prices also went up 11 times in 2017 and 2018; and 4 times from January to August, 2019.
Conclusion
The claim that fuel prices have been increased more than 22 times since 2017 is correct. Data from the National Petroleum Authority and our checks with an Oil Marketing Company, Total, corroborate the claim.
