Akwasi Addai Odike, founder and leader of the United Progressive Party (UPP), is demanding more action from President John Dramani Mahama to establish a proper income equilibrium in the country.
The politician and business mogul believes income disparities in the country are huge, requiring critical initiatives to bridge the gap between the haves and have-nots.
Odike’s comments follow President Mahama’s directive to scrap fuel allocations and allowances for all government appointees as part of measures to run a leaner administration.
Speaking on Onua FM’s morning show, Yen Nsempa, on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, the politician indicated that while he supports the President’s idea of scrapping the allowances, this alone wouldn’t solve the income disparity issue.
Drastic measures, he noted, are needed to bridge the gap. “Mr. President, disparities in our wage system aren’t just about fuel. You politicians have allocated huge sums to yourselves, milking the nation. This is just a drop in the ocean. I agree with the move to some extent, but you can do more to create structural equilibrium for all Ghanaian workers, showing that the disparities aren’t huge,” he lamented.
Odike added that political appointees with huge salaries, allowances, and fringe benefits often run institutions they manage into debt, accusing them of being behind many corruption-related issues.
“The most painful thing is that those we pay huge sums claim they’re making losses in the institutions they’re managing, while indulging in corruption-related issues,” he added.
On Tuesday, July 15, President John Dramani Mahama directed that fuel allowances and allocation given to all political appointees be stopped immediately.
The order, according to a statement signed by the Minister in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, “forms part of a broader curb in government expenditure aimed at cutting cost and channeling public funds into priority areas.”
The statement also said “the President believes that leadership must also bear its part of the sacrifices it is calling on the people to make.”
The initiative, additionally forms part of the administration’s commitment towards reducing the size of government and its corresponding pressure on the public purse, aside from reducing the number of appointees and staff.
“The latest cost-cutting measure follows sweeping reductions in the size of government through the appointment of fewer Ministers and Presidential Office staff.”
Also, the President asked that the subscription of satellite TV for public offices at all state facilities should be stopped.
“Other measures have included stopping satellite TV subscriptions for offices at the Presidency and other government facilities,” the statement added.
