Following this December’s election, John Dramani Mahama, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer for 2024, has promised to discontinue giving free petrol and other incentives to government employees.
In an exchange with the EU [European Union] Ambassador to Ghana, the former president detailed the cost-cutting steps his administration would take, such as reducing rewards to public servants.
The NDC flagbearer clarified that the state would only provide fuel to government cars that were specifically employed for official duties.
“As a condition of service for top government officials, directors, and the political class, we will stop paying petrol, utility bills, and DSTV. We think that everyone should start paying their own water and power bills, just like the rest of Ghana.
“If you are driving your own automobile, you should purchase your own petrol unless you are on a government assignment and utilizing a government vehicle. Therefore, we will stop using them. We will employ tax incentives to create jobs and help small businesses as part of our budget,” he declared.
Additionally, Mr. Mahama disclosed plans to implement tax breaks for Ghanaian companies that have registered.
The leader of the NDC unveiled a new proposal to replace cash payments in the public and private sectors by electronic ones, including mobile money, by 2028.
By 2028, “we want to phase out cash as a form of payment for all transactions. As a result, by that time, we will no longer accept cash for any payments you have to make for services that involve the public and private sectors.”
Therefore, you would have to pay with your mobile money at the hospital and other locations. only payments made via electronic means.
