Director of Legal Affairs for the United Party (UP), Andrew Appiah-Danquah, has advised government to devise a “standard response strategy” to deal with external shocks.
His comments is in relation to the recent fuel price hikes resulting from the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. This has warranted an emergency Cabinet meeting scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
According to Appiah-Danquah, government should not always push the burden of price increment unto citizens, but should adopt measures that will absorb such costs when they occur.
Speaking on the BigIssue segment on the NewDay morning show on TV3 Monday, April 6, 2026, Appiah-Danquah argued that government can save part of the windfall from the price budget it sets with the projected crude price annually, and use that savings to cushion consumers in such hard times.
“Government needs to also look critically at how we deal with these shocks. Most of the time we deal with them as and when they come. I think there should be a comprehensive strategy, a standard response strategy to deal with these shocks.
“When the price of crude goes up, it’s a double insult in terms of the fact that, government has made a budget with a certain projection, I think this time it’s about US$75 per barrel. So that when the prices go up, it constitutes also a windfall for government.
“As part of a standard response strategy, government should look at a way of taking a bit of the surplus when prices go up, into some form of fund or levy that will also cushion the citizens. Because we can’t be at the receiving end all the time,” he held.
His comments follow President John Dramani Mahama’s call for an emergency Cabinet meeting over the rising cost of fuel as a result of the ongoing tensions in the Middle East that has shot up fuel prices.
Addressing participants at the Kwahu Business Forum on Saturday, April 4, 2026, the President signalled that the government is moving swiftly to mitigate the impact of rising petroleum costs on households and businesses.
“I have called for this emergency cabinet meeting to decide on specific measures we can take to cushion petroleum prices while we hope the conflict comes to an end. There are adjustments we can make, particularly in the margins, to help maintain relatively stable prices as we pray for the war to cease,” he stated.
The meeting, he explained, will examine the structure of fuel pricing in Ghana, including taxes, levies and margins, with a view to identifying areas where relief can be provided without undermining fiscal stability.
The President’s intervention follows a significant jump in pump prices at the start of April, reflecting volatility in international crude oil markets. Data from the National Petroleum Authority shows that petrol prices climbed by about 15% to GH¢13.30 per litre, while diesel recorded an even steeper increase of roughly 19% to GH¢17.10 per litre for the April 1–15 pricing window.
The surge has raised concerns about knock-on effects on transport fares, food prices and the general cost of living.
Despite the pressures, President Mahama sought to reassure the public that the broader economy remains resilient.
“I can confidently tell you that the economy will not collapse because of the war in Iran,” he emphasised.
The President also acknowledged the role of key stakeholders, particularly transport operators, in helping to stabilise the situation in the short term.
He commended transport unions for resisting immediate fare hikes, describing their restraint as a critical buffer against further economic strain on commuters and businesses.
Any upward adjustment in transport fares typically triggers a chain reaction across the economy, affecting goods and services nationwide.
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