Energy experts are urging the government to disclose detailed projections of savings following its recent suspension of fuel allowances and allocations to political appointees.
They argue that clarity on the financial impact is essential for public accountability and effective tracking of fiscal reforms.
On July 15, the government announced a sweeping cost-cutting directive under its Reset Agenda, halting all fuel-related benefits to political appointees. The move, intended to curb wasteful expenditure, has been welcomed in principle but met with calls for more transparency.
In an interview with Citi Business News, Benjamin Nsiah, Executive Director of the Centre for Environmental Management and Sustainable Energy, said the government should immediately quantify the projected savings and explain how the funds will be redirected.
“This is a laudable initiative, but it lacks follow-through,” he noted. “The statement should have been accompanied by the estimated amount the country expects to save, and a clear indication of where those funds will go—be it education, healthcare, or infrastructure.”
Nsiah argued that without such data, the public is left in the dark and unable to gauge the effectiveness of the reform.
He also questioned the scope of the directive, asking for clarity on exactly who falls under the ban.
“Over 3,000 individuals are appointed by government across ministries, agencies, and SOEs. These institutions all have unique compensation and logistics structures. We need to know which specific categories of appointees are affected by this directive,” he said.
Calls for transparency are growing amid ongoing public scrutiny of government spending. Stakeholders say the directive could mark a turning point for prudent resource management—if followed with measurable action and public accountability.
