Accra: Mr Yakubu Faharudeen, the former Acting General Secretary of the People's National Convention (PNC), has expressed confidence that President John Dramani Mahama will deliver on his directive to scrap fuel allowances for government appointees.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Faharudeen highlighted that President Mahama had already met several significant promises made before his tenure, including reducing the number of ministers, declaring more public holidays for Muslims, and cutting the cost of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. He stated that the current administration's track record indicates that the initiative to cancel fuel allowances will not be one of those promises that remain unfulfilled. Although no specific commencement date has been announced, he remains optimistic that the commitment will be translated into actionable steps.
He emphasized that these fulfilled promises signify the administration's commitment to reform and efficient governance. The pledge to eliminate fuel allowances for government officials is seen as both feasible and attainable. Mr Faharudeen believes that removing these allowances would promote prudent spending among government appointees and urged public support for the initiative should it proceed.
Mr Faharudeen acknowledged that fuel allowances have long been a public concern due to their cost and potential for misuse, particularly when not linked to performance or specific duties. He explained that abolishing these allowances could save the nation millions of cedis annually. However, he urged the government to maintain transparency by disclosing the savings from this measure and providing a detailed plan for reallocating the funds.
He suggested that the savings be invested in developmental projects within crucial sectors such as health, education, and infrastructure. Furthermore, Mr Faharudeen recommended that agencies should generate revenue internally to cover fuel costs, reducing dependency on government funding.
