Drivers and traders in Techiman’s central business area have expressed disappointment with the 2024 national budget, claiming it fails to address the basic needs of the people.
Members of various transport unions, including the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and the Private Road Transport Owners Association (PROTOA), along with local traders, voiced concerns about the rising cost of living, particularly due to high taxes on goods and services. In interviews with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Techiman, they highlighted several issues that were not adequately addressed in the budget.
According to them, the budget overlooks the poor road conditions in rural communities, the rising cost of fuel, and the high prices of vehicle spare parts. They pointed out that the cost of transportation, especially to remote areas, has worsened, making it harder for goods and services to be delivered to urban centers.
Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta presented the 2024 budget under the theme: “Pursuing Growth and Development within a Stable Macroeconomic Environment.”
Driver Samuel Asante Boateng criticized the high cost of food due to poor infrastructure, noting that many farm products rot because farmers cannot afford to transport them to markets in towns. He explained that vehicle owners often avoid using roads in rural areas, and those who do, charge high fees that farmers cannot afford.
Boateng urged the government to address the issue of bad road networks in farming communities to make transportation more affordable and efficient.
Issah Mahamed, a 43-year-old local manufacturer and sandal seller, also expressed frustration with the local economy, noting that sales were down and that he had not sold any products all day, yet still had to find a way to support his family.
Miss Patience Amponsah, a bread seller, shared similar concerns, saying she had only sold two loaves of bread in the past two days because customers lacked money to purchase basic items.
However, Miss Amponsah did commend the government for reducing taxes on locally made sanitary pads, recognizing the positive impact it would have on young women who struggle to afford them on a regular basis.
