The President of policy think tank IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has strongly endorsed President John Dramani Mahama’s recent decision to scrap fuel allowances and allocations for all political appointees, describing it as a “wonderful initiative” that should be codified into law to prevent future reversals.
President Mahama has with immediate effect, cancelled the payment of fuel allowances and the allocation of fuel to all political appointees, as part of broader efforts to reduce government expenditure and promote fiscal discipline.
The announcement was made in a statement issued by the Minister for Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.
Speaking in an interview on Citi Prime News in reaction to the announcement on Tuesday, July 15, Cudjoe dismissed criticisms, labeling the move as mere populism or propaganda, stating:
“That’s a wonderful initiative, and I think that regardless of how people describe it as propaganda or populist, we love it. Even if you save a million, it could go as far as supporting some indigenes in the country.”
He emphasised that the initiative is not just symbolic, but a concrete step toward responsible governance and long-overdue public sector reform.
“This is a very important initiative which John keeps giving, which is a very important part of the conversation about reset… We are grateful for that,” he added.
Franklin Cudjoe further urged the government to ensure effective compliance and called for the measure to be codified, suggesting legislation that would make the fuel allowance ban permanent.
“What we need to do is to find a way of making sure that this thing is done, people comply, and eventually codify it so that nobody brings it back again,” he stressed.
Mahama scraps fuel allowances for appointees