Keta residents express mixed reaction on scrapping of fuel allowance

The decision by President John Dramani Mahama to scrap the fuel allowance for all government appointees has sparked a mixed reaction from the public in the Keta municipality of the Volta Region.

While some have welcomed the move as a necessary measure to cut down on government expenditure, others have expressed concern about the impact it would have on the livelihoods of those who may be affected.

The scrapping of the fuel allowance was seen by others who believed it was part of a broader plan of austerity measures introduced by the government to reduce expenditure and channel public funds into major priority areas for development.

Mr. Seth Amesa, a native of Tortoekope, a suburb of Keta, in an interview with Ghana News Agency, said the move by government to scrap fuel allowances was seen as a way to demonstrate how committed President Mahama was to fiscal responsibilities and to set an example for other countries in African to follow.

He said President Mahama and his government has emphasised that leadership must also bear its part of the sacrifices and called on others in various sectors of government to comply as part of the agenda for the progress and success of the country.

“I know it’s not everyone who is pleased with the decision the government is taking, especially considering the challenges it will bring to others,” he said.

Mr. Julius Dogbeda, another resident, said many appointees may express concern about the impact the move would have on their livelihoods, particularly those who rely heavily on the fuel allowance to carry out their duties and argue that the allowance was necessary to enable them to perform their functions effectively.

“The government must be very clear on how much they will generate from the initiative and how the revenue generated will be used for all to understand.”

Meanwhile, the public at Keta has continue to expressed a mixed reaction to the decision, with some supporting the move and called for it to be backed by legislative law by Parliament as necessary measure to be observed by subsequent government appointees while others argued and believed that it would have a negative impact on the economy and the people.

Some residents described the scrapping as a move to mitigate public tension about the economy as 1 per cent of fuel levy was about to commenced which be characterised with many challenges on drivers and other commuters that could lead to increase in transport fares.

Other information GNA gathered revealed that the scrapping of the fuel allowance was not the only austerity measure introduced by the government, but others have also included the appointment of fewer Ministers and Presidential Office staff, as well as the stopping of satellite TV subscriptions for offices at the Presidency and other government facilities.

It was also gathered that the economic impact of the decision was still unclear as well as the alternative measures for appointees, while some experts GNA engaged also believed that it could have a positive effect on the economy in the long run with the hope for the government to create a more stable economic environment for all.

Some said that the future implications of the decision were still uncertain but was believed that the scrapping would have a significant impact on the economy and the people of Ghana as well as monitor the effects of the decisions and adjust when necessary.

Some expressed worry, impugning that the cut-back may be an avenue to engender corruptible tendencies.

From Evans Worlanyo Ameamu, Keta

GNA

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