The Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketing Companies is asking government to as a matter of urgency remove all taxes on the liquefied petroleum gas.

According to them, they have noted with grave concern that the product which used to be subsided has its price build-up been constituted of more than 2.3 taxes now.

For example, in 2015 a typical 14.5kg LPG cylinder cost about GHc 48 and a bag of charcoal then was also GHc 40 whilst the bag of charcoal is now GHc 45 the same 14.5kg LPG cost GHc 80.

Speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, Vice President of the Association, Mr. Gabby Kumi explained that there is clearly a breach in the policy decision that influenced the introduction of and the push for the utilization of LPG to replace wool and other unhealthy fuel alternatives.

Below Is Their Full Statement

We are therefore appealing to government to heed to our plea as we have entered into discussions with the over the removal of taxes from LPG.

The Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketing Companies Association wants government to as a matter of urgency remove all taxes on the Liquefied Petroleum Gas.

We note with grave concern that the product which used to be subsided has its price build-up been constituted of more than 2.3 taxes now.

For example, in 2015 a typical 14.5kg LPG cylinder cost about GHS 48 and a bag of charcoal ten was also GHS 40 whilst the bag of charcoal is now GHS 45 the same 14.5kg LPG cost GHS 80.

This is clearly in breach of the policy decision that that influenced the introduction of and the push for the utilization of LPG to replace wool and other unhealthy fuel alternatives.

Currently, it is logical to conclude that low income homes have been prices-out of the LPG market resulting in the massive decline in the use of the product.

Now, according to the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM), which is the implementation model for the National LPG Policy, government envisages that at least 50% of Ghanaians should have access to safe, clean and environmentally-friendly LPG for domestic, commercial and industrial usage by 2030.

We state unequivocally that the vision to increase consumption and get more people to use LPG gas is noble and government has our unalloyed support to implement the great quest.

However, we are afraid this move no matter how wonderful it sounds may not be realized anytime soon. This is because in the existing saturated market of the product, the only way to increase use is by creating access for new users.

Unfortunately, the same users have no monetary incentive to abandon their cheaper options and jump on the LPG bandwagon because it does not make economic sense to do so.

It is our contention that the removal of taxes will significantly bring down the cost of the LPG and make it possible for the ordinary Ghanaian to afford it.

That is why we are calling on the government to act immediately in the interest of the Ghanaian people it swore to protect and help progress.

Yours, for God & Country