Prez Mahama Slashes Fuel Taxes and Deploys 100 New Buses to Battle Rising Costs of Living

In a swift response to the global surge in crude oil prices, President John Dramani Mahama has chaired an emergency Cabinet meeting resulting in a major relief package for Ghanaian consumers.

The government has officially directed the Ministers for Finance and Energy to immediately remove specific taxes and margins on petroleum products to drive down prices at the pump.

This tax intervention is scheduled to take effect with the start of the next pricing window in approximately one week and will remain in place for an initial four-week period to stabilize the domestic energy market against external shocks.
The Cabinet’s decision follows a week of rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which have disrupted global supply chains and pressured domestic fuel costs.

Beyond direct price cuts, the President has also moved to provide alternative transport solutions for commuters struggling with high fares.

The Minister for Transport has been tasked with fast-tracking the deployment of 100 newly acquired Metro Mass Transit (MMT) buses.

These vehicles will be prioritized for high-traffic corridors and are strictly mandated to charge fares significantly lower than those of private transport operators, providing an affordable lifeline for workers and students.

In a move to ensure the government shares the burden of these economic challenges, President Mahama reaffirmed the total ban on fuel allowances for all Ministers of State and senior government officials.

This directive reinforces the administration’s commitment to fiscal discipline and cost-cutting within the public sector.

Government spokespeople emphasized that these combined measures—tax removals, expanded public transit, and executive austerity—are part of a comprehensive strategy to “Reset Ghana” and protect the livelihoods of ordinary citizens from the volatility of the global economy.