A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) national communications team, Hamza Suhuyini, has fired back at the New Patriotic Party (NPP) over claims that President John Dramani Mahama’s recent directive to cancel fuel allowances for political appointees is a public relations stunt.
Hamza said the NDC government remains committed to responding to the demands of Ghanaians and will not be distracted by accusations of “settings” from the opposition.
Speaking on Accra-based Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Wednesday, July 16, he argued that the fuel allowance cancellation is part of broader measures to cut down government spending and reflect leadership sacrifices in line with the party’s campaign promises.
“The NPP is an interesting party. When this government reduced the number of ministers, they accused us of embarking on a settings agenda. Now, with the cancellation of fuel allowances, they are making the same claim,” Hamza said.
According to him, it is hypocritical for the NPP to describe the cost-cutting measures as a PR gimmick when they failed to implement similar initiatives during their tenure.
“This government will not budge in its willingness to remain true to the demands of Ghanaians. If the NPP continues to disregard and disrespect those demands by calling it settings, that is theirs to carry,” he added.
President Mahama on Tuesday, July 15, directed an immediate end to the payment of fuel allowances and allocations for all political appointees.
The move, announced in a statement signed by Minister for Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu, is part of efforts to cut wasteful spending and redirect public funds to critical sectors.
It also follows earlier measures such as downsizing government staff and cancelling satellite TV subscriptions for state institutions.
The directive, however, has drawn criticism from NPP, particularly Dennis Miracles Aboagye, aide to former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who described it as a scam and a misleading PR exercise.
He claimed that fuel allowances for political appointees are not actually paid, accusing the NDC government of trying to deceive the public.
