Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow AssafuahThe Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has stated that President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to cancel fuel allowances for political appointees is a recycled tactic that failed in the past.
President Mahama on Tuesday, July 15, directed an immediate end to the payment of fuel allowances and allocations for all political appointees.
The directive, according to a statement signed by the Minister for Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, forms part of efforts to cut wasteful spending and redirect public funds to critical sectors of the economy.
The move, which is also aimed at strengthening public confidence in leadership sacrifices during hard times, follows earlier measures such as downsizing government staff and cancelling satellite TV subscriptions for state institutions.
But reacting in a social media post, Ekow Assafuah recalled a similar initiative in 2013, where Mahama announced a 10% salary cut to fund CHPS compounds, which he claimed was secretly reversed later on.
“And history won’t forget. In 2013, Mahama staged a similar stunt by announcing a 10% pay cut to fund CHPS compounds. But what happened? Many of his own appointees secretly opted out, and at the instruction of his Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, their monies were refunded. So who was really sacrificing?” he wrote.
The MP stressed, “President Mahama’s announcement cancelling fuel allowances for appointees might make for good headlines but beneath the surface, it reeks of hypocrisy, not honesty.”
He argued that the President himself is not included in the directive which to him, comes as poor leadership and a lack of sincerity.
