Member of Parliament for Akwapem North, Sammi Awuku, has criticised the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), describing it as a government more focused on public relations, optics, and image management than on delivering real solutions to the country’s challenges.
Speaking in an exclusive interview on the Channel One Newsroom, Awuku contended that despite repeated government assurances, hardship remains widespread across the country.
He pointed to rising utility tariffs and the introduction of the GHC1 Fuel Levy as clear indications of the government’s disconnect from the economic realities facing ordinary Ghanaians.
According to him, “electricity tariffs went up by 11% in 2024 and have further increased by over 17% in July 2025,” adding that water tariffs have also seen a 6% hike.
Awuku further criticised the government’s recent announcement regarding the cancellation of fuel allowances for appointees, accusing it of insincerity. He claimed that despite the public statement, many government officials continue to enjoy fuel benefits behind the scenes.
“I see a trend. We have said that this government is a government of three things: P.R., optics and settings. So anything that positions them as doing something, but in actual fact, the pocket economy speaks for itself. The same government says they were scrapping the fuel allocation for appointees of the government,” he said.
“Today, we are at Jubilee House, and you can see that the fuel depot was functioning. The depot at Castle Osu, where you have several appointees and these National Security operatives and people who do not even qualify to even draw fuel from this vending point are actively still drawing fuel.”
He concluded by accusing the government of double standards in its approach to austerity measures:
“It is like the Ghanaian is being asked to tighten her belt, and the government is using elastic around the waist.”