John Dramani Mahama has directed immediate measures to ease the burden of rising fuel prices on Ghanaians, as global tensions continue to disrupt oil supplies. The directive was issued on Thursday, April 9, following a Cabinet meeting in Accra, shortly after the President’s return from an official visit to France. Discussions centred on urgent interventions to mitigate the impact of escalating petrol and diesel prices on households and businesses.
A key component of the response is the planned review and temporary suspension of selected taxes and levies on petroleum products. The Minister for Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, and the Minister for Energy, John Jinapor, have been tasked to engage industry stakeholders and roll out measures aimed at reducing pump prices in the next pricing window.
Government sources indicate the relief package will run for an initial four-week period, subject to reassessment based on developments in global oil markets, particularly tensions involving Iran, Israel and the United States. The surge in fuel prices has been linked to disruptions along the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global crude shipments, tightening supply and driving one of the steepest increases in recent months.
To further cushion commuters, the President has instructed the Transport Ministry to fast-track the deployment of 100 Metro Mass Transit buses on major routes, offering fares lower than those charged by private operators.
In a parallel cost-containment measure, ministers and senior government officials have been directed to strictly adhere to an existing ban on fuel allowances, reinforcing fiscal discipline amid the current economic strain.
Officials describe the interventions as part of a coordinated national response aimed at stabilizing fuel prices and containing inflationary pressures, particularly in the transport and food sectors.