Collins Adomako-Mensah is the Deputy Ranking Member of the Energy Committee of Parliament
Deputy Ranking Member of the Energy Committee and Member of Parliament for Afigya Kwabre North constituency, Collins Adomako-Mensah, has dismissed President Mahama’s directive of scrapping fuel allowances for government appointees as a move aimed at calming public outrage over the new GH¢1 per litre energy sector levy.
Speaking to GhOne TV on Tuesday, July 15, he questioned the fiscal impact of the President’s directive, calling for transparency on how much the government was previously spending on fuel for its appointees and how much would be saved now.
“Government must tell us the actual figures. How much money was being spent on fuel for appointees, and what impact will this directive have?” he questioned.
According to him, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) is set to commence the implementation of the controversial GH¢1 levy on every litre of fuel sold starting July 16, a policy expected to generate GH₵5.7 billion in revenue.
He argued that this significant cost burden on Ghanaians far outweighs the negligible savings from the cancelled fuel allowances for government officials.
“This directive is just a political gimmick to reduce the tension in the system. What Ghanaians need to focus on is the real story, the GRA’s implementation of this levy that will directly affect every fuel consumer,” he stated.
Responding to a question that fuel prices have dropped and the new levy would have minimal impact, He strongly disagreed, arguing that using the drop in prices as a basis to introduce a levy makes little economic sense and only compounds the financial pressure on citizens.
“The claim that prices have dropped, so the levy shouldn’t be a concern, is misleading. If anything, the gains from improved exchange rates should ease the burden on consumers, not add to it,” he said.
He stressed that the decision by the President to cancel appointees’ fuel allowances will not pacify the public once the levy kicks in.
“This letter changes nothing. Ghanaians will get angry, and that anger will be fully felt tomorrow,” he said.
AS/VPO
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