The Member of Parliament (MP) for Akuapem North, Hon. Sammi Awuku, has taken a swipe at the current administration led by President John Dramani Mahama, accusing the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of prioritising public relations and image management over addressing the fundamental economic concerns of the Ghanaian people.
Hon. Awuku dismissed recent policy actions by the government as superficial and ineffective, arguing that while the Mahama administration consistently presents itself as implementing reforms, the lived experiences of citizens continue to reflect hardship, rising costs, and what he termed “economic insincerity.”
The MP pointed to the GHS 1 Fuel Levy introduced by the government as emblematic of its disconnect from the realities of Ghanaians. He argued that such levies, when coupled with surging utility tariffs, only deepened the economic burden on households.
“Electricity tariffs went up by 11% in 2024 and have further increased by over 17% in July 2025. While water tariffs also increased by 6% during the same period”
Hon. Sammi Awuku, MP for Akuapem North
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP also challenged the sincerity of the government’s announcement regarding the cancellation of fuel allocations for its appointees. According to him, the announcement was a publicity move rather than a reflection of “genuine austerity measures.”
He noted that despite public declarations, appointees continued to enjoy access to subsidised fuel. “The same government says they were scrapping the fuel allocation for appointees of the government,” Hon. Awuku stated, but added that the fuel depot at Jubilee House was still in full operation, as was the one at Castle Osu.
“The depot at Castle Osu, where you have several appointees and these National Security operatives and people who do not even qualify to even draw fuel from this vending point are actively still drawing fuel”
Hon. Sammi Awuku, MP for Akuapem North
Optics Versus Outcomes
Hon. Awuku repeatedly returned to what he described as a broader trend within the current administration.
“I see a trend. We have said that this government is a government of three things: P.R., optics and settings,” he said, insisting that the Mahama-led government was more concerned with appearances than results.
He stated that announcements about cost-cutting measures were usually followed by continued behind-the-scenes indulgence by the ruling political class. “Anything that positions them as doing something, but in actual fact, the pocket economy speaks for itself,” he said.
In his view, the ruling party’s actions reflect a pattern of double standards. While everyday Ghanaians are expected to endure the consequences of economic reforms, Awuku alleged that the political elite remained untouched.
Although the government has consistently defended its fiscal and economic strategies, critics like Hon. Awuku argue that the evidence on the ground tells a different story. As inflation bites and levies mount, frustrations continue to build among various segments of the population.
The NPP MP’s remarks add to the growing chorus of opposition voices challenging what they see as the Mahama administration’s failure to transition from rhetoric to real economic relief.
As Ghana heads deeper into 2025, the tension between public expectations and governmental communication remains a defining theme in the country’s political landscape.
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