Community Focus Foundation Ghana (CFF-Ghana) has called on government to regulate its free fuel coupon scheme.
According to the group, government should consider sanctioning appointees who switch on their car engines throughout events as part of ensuring value for money.
“we call on government to consider regulating the free fuel coupon scheme including sanctioning appointees who switch on their engines with air-conditions on, during events to ensure value for money”
In a press statement released on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, CFF-Ghana highlighted systemic issues facing the country’s energy sector, including financial shortfalls, escalating debts totaling $3.1 billion, gas shortages, and inefficiencies.
The foundation emphasized that mismanagement and corruption, not just financial constraints are key factors behind the ongoing instability.
“It is a matter of public knowledge that a syndicate in the energy sector, consisting of political appointees and technocrats, is exploiting the system for personal gain. The question, therefore, is why has the government not cracked down on these energy sector cartels to ensure stability?”
CFF-Ghana argued that increasing tariffs alone would not resolve the crisis, warning that such measures would further burden households and industries.
“Over reliance on tariff increments will only place unnecessary financial pressure on poor households and businesses already suffocating under draconian energy sector levies,”.
To address the crisis, the foundation urged the Energy Minister, John Jinapor, to implement stronger governance structures, regulatory reforms, and transparent procurement processes.
“Government must take decisive action to promote fiscal discipline and reduce corruption in the energy sector,” the statement emphasized.
Furthermore, CFF-Ghana called for strict regulation of fuel coupon usage by government officials and sanctions for those who waste public resources. “
Appointees who switch on their engines and air-conditioning during events must be held accountable to ensure value for money,” the foundation asserted.
On the proposed GHC1 fuel levy, the organization stressed the need for broader stakeholder engagement to ensure collective ownership and sustainable energy security.
It also urged the government to provide updates on prosecutions of individuals accused of corruption within the sector.
“In the spirit of transparency and accountability, we call on the government to update the public on how criminals accused of wrongdoing in the energy sector are being prosecuted in accordance with the law,”.
Read full statement below
PRESS STATEMENT
For Immediate Release:
CFF-Ghana calls for strong governance, transparency and accountability measures to tackle Ghana’s energy sector crisis.
Accra, Ghana; Tuesday, 10th June, 2025:
1. As the discussion on Ghana’s energy sector crisis continues, Community Focus Foundation Ghana (CFF-Ghana) also wishes to add its voice to the raging energy policy debate and propose some sound solutions to addressing the energy sector challenges.
2. As we maybe aware, Ghana’s energy sector is facing myriad of challenges including financial shortfalls, escalating debts amounting to $3.1 billion, systemic inefficiencies, and gas shortages among other challenges.
3. In our candid view, the cause(s) of the perennial energy sector crisis are not just financial but it is as a result of mismanagement and wanton corruption . In fact, it is a matter of public knowledge that there is a syndicate in the energy sector consisting of political appointees and the so called technocrats who sheepishly exploit the sector for their personal benefits.
4. The question therefore is why has governments over the years not been able to crack the whip on these energy sector cartels to ensure energy stability in Ghana?
5. While acknowledging the challenges, CFF-Ghana is of the strongest view that over reliance on tariffs increment cannot take the country out of the woods. At best, it will place unnecessary financial burden on poor households and industries who are already suffocating under draconian energy sector levies introduced by the erstwhile regime.
6. To address the existing energy sector challenges, CFF-Ghana call on government through the Energy Minister, Hon. John Jinapor to implement strong governance, transparency and accountability measures including regulatory reforms, and transparent procurement processes with the view of promoting fiscal discipline and reducing corruption in the energy sector.
7. Further, we call on government to consider regulating the free fuel coupon scheme including sanctioning appointees who wicth on their engines with air-conditions on during events to ensure value for money.
8. On the Ghc1 fuel levy, we call for broader stakeholders engagement towards consensus building to ensure stakeholders ownership for energy security.
9. In the spirit of transparency and accountability, we urge government to update the public on how criminals accused of wrong doing in the energy sector are being prosecuted in accordance with the law.
10. End
Signed:
Corporate Communications
