Sammi Awuku, a leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has launched a scathing critique of the John Dramani Mahama administration, accusing it of unleashing a wave of unbearable utility and fuel price hikes on Ghanaians in just three months of governance.
In a strongly worded statement titled “A Day of Reckoning Is Here”, Awuku, also a Member of Parliament for Akuapem North argued that recent increases in electricity and water tariffs, along with the introduction of what he dubbed the “D-Levy,” have dealt a painful blow to already struggling households and businesses.
“In May 2025, electricity tariffs went up by 14.75% and water by 4.02% under the Mahama-led NDC government. Today, July 16, we’ve been slapped with another 2.45% hike in electricity. That’s a total of 17.2% in less than three months,” Awuku wrote.
He contrasted the recent hikes with the NPP’s performance in 2024, noting that tariff increases were below 11% for the entire year, with lifeline users even benefiting from a 6.65% reduction in the first quarter.
Awuku also took aim at the new fuel levy announced by the government, calling it the “D-Levy” — a term he said could stand for “Death Levy, Demolition Levy, Dumsor Levy or just plain Disrespect.”
“Remember when the 1% E-Levy was reversed on 2nd April? Turns out it was just a well-timed April Fool’s joke. Because now we’re dealing with 8% slapped on fuel. Yes, fuel. Not momo. Not luxury. Fuel,” he wrote.
He lamented that the new levy affects even the smallest fuel purchases, warning that it would worsen the cost of living crisis for ordinary Ghanaians.
“It’s like saying ‘thank you for suffering, here’s more,’” he remarked sarcastically.
Adding to the frustrations, Awuku pointed to recent price adjustments that took effect on July 2, when petrol rose by 2% and diesel by 5%, based on COMAC’s price projections.
He also questioned the sincerity of the Mahama administration’s promise to cut fuel allocations to government appointees, suggesting that symbolic gestures like shutting down the private fuel pump at the presidency would send a clearer message.
“If government is serious about cutting down fuel allocations, maybe they should start by closing their private pump at the presidency,” he stated.
Taking a swipe at what he described as the ballooning size of government, Awuku added: “Who exactly is a government appointee? Because the list keeps growing like a family WhatsApp group.”
In a stinging conclusion, he likened the return of Mahama to a major downgrade in leadership.
“We really traded our flat screen TV for a black and white box. What a time. Good morning, Ghanafo),” he ended.
The statement, tagged with hashtags such as #BrokenPromises and #WeShallRemember, signals a renewed push by the NPP to hold the Mahama-led government accountable on economic management as the political season heats up.
