Mahama Convenes Emergency Cabinet Over Fuel Prices

John Dramani Mahama directed the Finance and Energy Ministers to immediately reduce fuel prices through the removal of selected taxes and margins, effective at the next pricing window - approximately one week away - following an emergency cabinet meeting held at the Jubilee House. The directive represents the administration's most concrete response yet to a fuel price surge that has seen pump prices climb roughly 30 percent since January. The government was explicit that the tax and margin reductions are not permanent.

The measures will last an initial period of four weeks from the next pricing window, after which cabinet will review the situation and determine whether further action is warranted. The spokesperson linked the timeline directly to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, noting that restrictions along the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20 percent of global crude oil parcels pass have significantly reduced supply volumes, driven up crude prices and pushed insurance premiums sharply higher. The Transport Minister has been instructed to expedite the deployment of 100 newly arrived Metro mass buses into high traffic corridors across the country. The buses are part of a broader fleet acquisition of 300 units.

A further 100 Metromass buses are expected in August and the final batch of 100 in November. Cabinet directed that the Metromass buses, both the new arrivals and existing fleet, maintain fares below those charged by private sector competitors. A formal announcement of the specific taxes and the quantum of fiscal relief is expected before the next pricing window opens.