Africa-Press – Ghana. Some Members of Parliament (MPs) have reacted to President John Dramani Mahama’s directive to scrap fuel allowances and halt fuel allocations to all political appointees.
The move, part of the government’s cost-cutting strategy under the Reset Agenda, aims to redirect public funds into priority sectors and critical development initiatives.
A New Patriotic Party MP for Akuapim North, Mr. Samuel Awuku, on Tuesday dismissed the directive as a “populist gesture lacking real impact.”
Reacting to the directive to a section of the media in Parliament House, Mr. Awuku argued that the move was superficial and did not reflect a genuine commitment to fiscal discipline.
“This government directive is a clear case of PR and settings. If they want to show that they are serious about cutting fuel allowances, it starts with shutting down the fuel depots at Osu and Jubilee House because that is where government appointees get their fuel. Don’t play with our minds,” he said.
The Akuapim North MP also questioned the actual financial impact of the move, calling on the government to disclose how much was being spent annually on fuel allowances to assess the supposed savings.
“Let’s be told how much was being spent. Then, at the end of the year, we can measure real savings. Without that, they are just playing games with us,” he added.
However, not all MPs share Mr. Awuku’s skepticism. The National Democratic Congress MP for Komenda Edina Eguafo Abirem, Mr. Samuel Atta-Mills, lauded the initiative, stating that it would ultimately serve the best interest of the state and contribute to prudent public spending.
Mr. Atta-Mills said the move would help redirect resources to more critical areas of need.
For More News And Analysis About Ghana Follow Africa-Press
