Minister for Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, Hon. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has launched a blistering critique of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) over what he described as their “bizarre and illogical” opposition to President John Dramani Mahama’s recent directive to cut fuel allocations for government appointees.
President Mahama, on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, announced the cancellation of fuel disbursements to government officials—a move he described as part of a broader cost-cutting strategy to reduce waste and reallocate state resources to critical development priorities.
The policy has since generated debate across the political aisle, with the NPP expressing scepticism about the significance and sincerity of the measure. However, Hon. Kwakye Ofosu in response, dismissed them, backing the President’s decision.
“The New Patriotic Party and its members have proposed in their hearts to every now and then waste the time of the Republic of Ghana with bizarre and illogical statements.
“Otherwise, how can any reasonable human being have a problem with a move by the President to cut costs so that funds available to the government can be channelled into priority areas?”
Minister for Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, Hon. Felix Kwakye Ofosu
According to the presidential spokesperson, the directive reflects President Mahama’s deliberate commitment to governing with prudence, prioritising national needs over political convenience.
“The truth is that it costs some money to run the government, and President Mahama believes that waste must be found and limited to essential expenditure. That’s the only way we can save resources and meet the needs of our people”.
Minister for Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, Hon. Felix Kwakye Ofosu
Hon. Kwakye Ofosu argued that the measure is not just symbolic, but a necessary intervention to reduce non-essential government spending.
“Government officials should be able to leave home and come to work without receiving any fuel from the government. I don’t think that is something they cannot pay for”.
Minister for Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, Hon. Felix Kwakye Ofosu
He drew a parallel with public servants like teachers, who commute without state-subsidised fuel and emphasised that President Mahama’s position is rooted in the principle that public resources should be allocated based on necessity, not entitlement. “This is intended to lighten the load and make sure that we don’t spend too much money running the government,” the minister noted.
The move, Hon. Kwakye Ofosu stressed, aligns with President Mahama’s earlier decision to reduce the size of government from the over 120 ministers seen under the previous NPP administration to just 60.
“Unless they are suggesting that it makes sense for a country like ours to have 120 ministers and spend all that money on them, only to achieve disastrous results, it’s clear that the President’s approach is the more prudent one”.
Minister for Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, Hon. Felix Kwakye Ofosu
Critics have, however, questioned the real impact of the directive, especially given the lack of specific figures on the amount expected to be saved. Responding to this concern, Hon. Kwakye Ofosu acknowledged that while final computations are ongoing, the cost savings will be substantial.
“It runs into millions of Ghanaian cedis. You know how much it costs to fill a vehicle as we speak, and government officials receive this every week. So you can imagine how much it costs—it runs into millions. Way back when I was Deputy Minister between 2013 and 2017, I used to receive GHS 150 in fuel coupons every week. At the time, it was significant.
“Now, every week I’m supposed to have my vehicle filled, just so I can move around Accra. Meanwhile, it’s not necessarily for national travel. The president thinks that’s wasteful, and I agree.”
Minister for Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, Hon. Felix Kwakye Ofosu
He maintained that the public response to the directive so far has been overwhelmingly positive, a sign that Ghanaians appreciate measures that promote responsible governance.
“You who are in the media space, you’ve seen the public reaction to this announcement. It’s been well received. It’s an indication that the people of Ghana want things done differently”.
Minister for Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, Hon. Felix Kwakye Ofosu
Hon. Kwakye Ofosu dismissed allegations that government fuel depots, particularly those at the Jubilee House and Osu Castle, had not been shut down and were still supplying fuel to appointees, describing them as baseless. “Does that claim make sense to you? So all government officials in Ghana come to the Jubilee House to draw fuel? Is that what they are saying?” he asked rhetorically.
He clarified that the station at the Jubilee House was not even functional and that as of the day the President issued the directive, the Osu Castle depot had also stopped issuing fuel for all government appointees.
“Everybody who went there was turned away. So it is not a place where government officials can go and draw fuel anymore,” he said, asserting that the policy was already being implemented.
Hon. Kwakye Ofosu used the opportunity to reiterate that the Mahama administration remains committed to fiscal discipline and prioritising public welfare over bureaucratic privilege.
“This is a government that listens, that is conscious of the public mood, and is determined to use every available cedi to improve the lives of our people,” he concluded.
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