Dennis Miracles Aboagye criticizes government's fuel coupon ban as populist

Dennis Miracles Aboagye, an aide to former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and a member of the New Patriotic Party NPP, has criticized the government's continued reference to a ban on fuel coupons for political appointees, calling the policy "mere populism." Speaking on TV3 Ghana on April 11, 2026, Aboagye questioned the practicality of the government's recent Cabinet communication, which stated that the ban on fuel coupons remained in force. He argued that public officials performing official duties cannot reasonably be expected to use personal salaries for fuel, noting that government officials are assigned official vehicles that are routinely fueled by the state. Aboagye stated that despite the announced ban, state officials continue to benefit from government-funded fuel through official vehicles and ministry operations. He also pointed out that fuel expenditure remains in the national budget, questioning how the government could ban something for which it still makes budgetary provisions. The NPP communicator suggested that the policy's wording, specifically mentioning "fuel coupons," might allow for alternative systems like fuel cards. He urged the government to avoid symbolic measures that do not reflect the practical realities of governance, emphasizing that most personnel are technical staff who rely on state-sponsored fuel for official duties.