'How do you budget for something you claim you banned?' – Miracles Aboagye asks

Dennis Miracles Aboagye, an aide to former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has criticised the government’s continued reference to a ban on fuel coupons for political appointees, describing the policy as “mere populism.”

Speaking in an interview on TV3 Ghana on April 11, 2026, Aboagye questioned the practicality of the government’s recent Cabinet communication, which stated that political appointees were being continuously reminded that the ban on fuel coupons remained in force.

According to him, public officials performing official duties cannot reasonably be expected to rely on their personal salaries to purchase fuel for state assignments.

He argued that government officials are assigned official vehicles for work purposes, and those vehicles are routinely fuelled by the state.

“When you are in government, nobody comes to you in the morning and says this is a fuel coupon for you and your wife. You have been given an official vehicle, and that vehicle is what you use for official functions. That vehicle is fuelled,” he said.

Aboagye argued that despite the announced ban, state officials continue to benefit from government-funded fuel allocations through official vehicles and ministry operations.

Fuel Price Spike: Mahama cabinet moves to suspends taxes, cancels fuel coupons

He further noted that fuel expenditure remains captured in the national budget, questioning how the government could declare a ban while still making budgetary provisions for fuel.

“There is a budget line for fuel. It is there in the 2026 budget. How do you budget for something you claim you banned?” he asked.

The NPP communicator also suggested that the wording of the policy may leave room for alternative arrangements, pointing out that the restriction specifically mentions “fuel coupons,” while other systems such as fuel cards may still be in use.

He urged the government to avoid symbolic measures that do not reflect the practical realities of governance.

According to Aboagye, only a small number of political appointees work directly within ministries, while the majority of personnel are technical staff who rely on state-sponsored fuel to carry out official duties.

@mylo_melo There is nothing like ban on appointees using state fuel. - Dennis Miracles Aboagye #fypシ゚viral #goviral #ghanapolitics #foryoupage #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp ♬ original sound - Mylo Melo