President John Dramani Mahama has announced the immediate cancellation of fuel allowances and fuel allocations for all political appointees in a bold step to reduce government spending. The directive takes effect without delay and is part of a broader strategy to tighten public expenditure and redirect state resources toward critical national priorities.
The president’s directive affects ministers, deputy ministers, and other high-level political officeholders who previously benefited from regular fuel provisions and allowances. In place of these benefits, officials will now be expected to manage transportation costs from their existing salaries, as government efforts focus on reducing wastage and ensuring fiscal discipline.
Government Prioritises Resource Reallocation for Development
According to sources within the Office of the President, the move is aimed at improving efficiency, reducing recurrent expenditure, and creating fiscal space for investment in sectors like health, education, infrastructure, and social welfare. This decision aligns with the administration’s commitment to prudent economic management in a period marked by tight global financing and rising domestic demands.
The policy shift has drawn mixed reactions, with some praising it as a long-overdue measure to rein in excessive spending, while others caution that it must be paired with wider reforms to ensure transparency and equity in public service benefits. The government has, however, insisted that the decision reflects its dedication to restoring public trust and demonstrating leadership in times of economic difficulty.
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