By Ashiadey Dotse
Member of the NPP legal team, Enoch Afoakwah, says the government’s fuel price reductions are mere optics and do not offer real relief to Ghanaians.
Speaking in an interview on GTV’s Current Agenda, Mr. Afoakwah criticized the temporary measures introduced to mitigate rising fuel prices, arguing that the intervention is more political than practical.
Government recently announced on Wednesday April 16, 2026 that it will absorb part of fuel costs to cushion consumers amid global market volatility. However, Mr. Afoakwah insists the reductions—GHS0.36 pesewas on petrol and GHS2.00 on diesel, are insignificant and fail to address the real economic burden on citizens.
He accused the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of inconsistency, noting that while in opposition, the party downplayed the impact of global events such as the Russia-Ukraine War on Ghana’s economy, but now attributes fuel price hikes to international conflicts.
According to him, Ghana’s economy is heavily dependent on imports, making it vulnerable to global shocks, yet the government must remain accountable to its promises.
Mr. Afoakwah further argued that as an oil-producing country with resources from fields such as Jubilee and Sankofa, Ghana should not be experiencing such high fuel prices. He added that there have been no reported security disruptions along the country’s coastline that would justify supply challenges.
He also raised concerns about rising port charges and their ripple effect on the cost of goods and services, warning that consumers will continue to bear the burden despite the announced subsidies.
The NPP legal team member stressed that Ghanaians expect tangible reductions in the cost of living, not what he described as “cosmetic interventions.”
He called on the government to deliver on its campaign promises and avoid relying on global conflicts such as tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel as justification for economic difficulties.
