Some energy analysts are calling on the government to expedite its assessment and disclosure of the potential savings resulting from the cancellation of fuel allowances for political appointees. They believe this will provide Ghanaians with a clearer understanding of the expected revenue gains and how those funds will be utilized.
On Tuesday, July 15, the government announced the immediate suspension of fuel allowances and allocations to all political appointees as part of broader efforts to reduce public expenditure and promote fiscal discipline.
Speaking to Citi Business News, energy analyst and Executive Director of the Centre for Environmental Management and Sustainable Energy, Benjamin Nsiah, emphasised the importance of promptly calculating and publishing the anticipated savings from the policy.
“The statement also ought to have been accompanied by the savings that we are likely going to make. I think that must be clear or ought to have been clear in the statement. And where these savings will be directed to. I think that gives us a benchmark for tracking government performance with respect to fuel allowance savings and where we’ll be spending these savings in future, especially on certain priority projects,” he stated.
Nsiah also called for more clarity regarding the categories of appointees affected by the directive.
“I also think it lacks clarity in the sense that the specific appointees ought to have been mentioned. Yes, government appoints more than 3,000 persons, and these individuals are positioned in various organizations with different internal structures when it comes to fuel allowances,” he added.