Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama has ordered the immediate cancellation of fuel allowances and allocations for all political appointees, as part of a broader strategy to curb government spending.

The directive, announced by Government Communications Minister Felix Kwakye Ofosu, is part of the administration’s ongoing cost-control efforts amid growing economic pressure. The presidency said the decision reflects the need for leadership to share in the sacrifices being asked of ordinary Ghanaians.

This latest measure follows earlier austerity steps, including reducing the size of government and cutting non-essential expenditures such as satellite TV services at the Presidency and public institutions.

While opposition lawmakers, including NPP MP Sammy Awuku, have dismissed the move as populist and cosmetic, policy think tank IMANI Africa has welcomed it as a progressive reform. IMANI President Franklin Cudjoe urged the government to codify such measures into law to ensure accountability and continuity.

The announcement comes just ahead of a controversial GHS1.00 levy on fuel, which government says will fund power generation. Savings from the cancelled perks, meanwhile, are expected to support key social and development programmes under Mahama’s “reform and reset agenda.”