Scrapping Fuel Allowance Is Illegal, Unethical and Populist- Tafo MP

The Member of Parliament for Tafo Constituency, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has described the scrapping of fuel allowance to political appointees as illegal, unethical and populist.

According to him, the move “reeks of hypocrisy, not honesty” on the part of President John Dramani Mahama.

“Is President Mahama himself included in this directive? No. He exempts himself, hiding behind the label of being ‘elected.’ So much for leading by example. Worse still, fuel allowances, where they exist are a condition of service. Cancelling them unilaterally is not just illegal, it’s unethical.”

“A populist gimmick designed to score political points and not reform the system. President Mahama is not sacrificing, he’s grandstanding. Ghana deserves more than Mahama’s headline-chasing and hollow gestures.”

He foresees a detrimental end as he says the move constitutes a variation of service conditions.

“That’s not bold leadership, it’s shallow populism.”

He compared this to a reported botched 10% pay cut in funding CHPS compounds in 2013.

“Now, contrast that with the Akufo-Addo government’s move in 2022, when the then Chief of Staff publicly announced a 30% pay cut for all government appointees as a genuine cost-saving measure during economic hardship. That was leadership with shared responsibility and not empty theatre.

“In reality, many appointees don’t even receive ‘fuel allowances.’ What exists and what drains state resources is the fuel depot at the Osu Castle and Jubilee House, where appointees draw fuel directly, leaving the government with millions of cedis in debt to GOIL. If President Mahama is serious about cutting waste, he should start there.”

Background
A statement by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister for Government Communications, announced the cancellation of fuel allocation to appointees on July 15, 2025.

He said the directive forms part of a broader curb in government expenditure aimed at cutting costs and channelling public funds into priority areas.

He said the President believes that leadership must also bear its part of the sacrifices it is calling on the people to make.

Source: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/