We Need More Clarity On Scrapping Of Fuel Allowances For Gov't Appointees

On July 16, 2025, Sammy Awuku, the Member of Parliament for Akuapem North and National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), spoke on Kwami Sefa Kayi’s Kokorokoo morning show, critiquing President John Dramani Mahama’s directive to scrap fuel allowances and allocations for all political appointees.

The action, according to Awuku, is a “populist public relations gimmick” that lacks transparency and real impact, raising more questions than it does answers.

Awuku underlined the importance of being clear on a few crucial points:

Definition of Appointees: He questioned who exactly qualifies as a political appointee under the directive. For instance, he asked whether the policy includes ministers, CEOs of state-owned enterprises, presidential staffers, or other high-level public servants, noting that different roles have varying contractual entitlements. This lack of specificity creates ambiguity about the scope of the policy.

Financial Transparency: Awuku called for the government to disclose the total amount currently spent on fuel allowances annually and the expected savings from the policy. Without these figures, he argued, it’s impossible to verify the directive’s impact or hold the government accountable for delivering tangible cost savings.

Implementation: He sought clarification on how the policy would be enforced. For example, he asked whether appointees would now have to pay for fuel out of pocket for official duties, or if the government would reimburse fuel costs for state-owned vehicles used on government business. He specifically raised the scenario of a Minister of Communications traveling for official duties, questioning whether fuel for such trips would be covered.

Concrete Actions: Awuku challenged the government to shut down fuel depots at the Castle and Jubilee House, which he claimed are primary sources of fuel for government appointees. He argued that closing these depots would be a more decisive action to demonstrate the government’s commitment to ending free fuel perks, rather than what he sees as a superficial directive.

No More Free Fuel: Mahama Axes Allowances for Appointees

Number of Appointees Affected: While no specific number of affected appointees was provided in the available information, Awuku’s call for clarity implies a need to know the scale of the policy—how many individuals are impacted, including ministers, deputy ministers, CEOs, and other appointees. This information is critical to assessing the policy’s reach and effectiveness.

Sammy Awuku’s critique aligns with his broader argument that the directive, announced on July 15, 2025, by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister for Government Communications, is part of President Mahama’s “Reset Agenda” but lacks the depth to effect meaningful fiscal discipline.

The directive, effective immediately, aims to reduce government expenditure and redirect funds to priority sectors, with the presidency emphasizing that leadership must share in the sacrifices asked of citizens. However, Awuku and the Minority in Parliament dismissed it as a “PR gimmick,” arguing that without detailed metrics and structural changes, such as closing fuel depots, the policy risks being more symbolic than impactful.