NPP demands answers on funding for Mahama's GH¢2 diesel price relief

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has called on the government to explain how it intends to finance the temporary GH¢2-per-litre reduction in the regulatory margin on diesel announced by President John Dramani Mahama.

The government says the one-month intervention, which took effect from August 4, is aimed at cushioning consumers, preventing transport fare increases and easing inflationary pressures following recent fuel price hikes.

However, the NPP argues that without a clear financing plan, the measure could worsen the country's fiscal position and create additional revenue shortfalls.

Speaking at a press conference at the party's headquarters in Accra on Wednesday, August 5, Policy Committee Co-chair George Kwame Aboagye questioned the source of funding for the intervention and urged the government to disclose the expected revenue implications.

"Which specific margins, levies, or taxes are being redeemed to finance the two cedi diesel relief, and what is the total revenue loss?" he asked.

Kwame Aboagye also questioned whether the intervention had been captured in the 2026 Budget and what measures would be taken to ensure that the relief translates into lower transport fares and reduced prices of essential goods.

He further sought clarification on whether the GH¢1-per-litre levy would remain in force during the relief period and what criteria the government would use to determine whether the intervention should continue beyond the initial one month.

"We support measures that genuinely protect citizens, but compassion without fiscal discipline is not sustainable policy," Mr Aboagye stated.

The NPP called on the government to publish the full petroleum price build-up and disclose the financing sources for the intervention before its implementation, insisting that any relief measure should be transparent and fiscally sustainable.