A fresh political debate has been triggered over rising fuel costs after Jerry Ahmed Shaib, Deputy Minority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe Constituency in the Greater Accra Region, criticised the government’s management of fuel prices, intensifying discussions about economic hardship and accountability.

Speaking in an interview at Ablekuma West, Shaib challenged the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), arguing that many ordinary Ghanaians have yet to experience meaningful relief despite government assurances of stabilising the economy.

“People own vehicles but can’t move them,” he said, describing what he believes has become the daily reality for many citizens struggling to afford fuel.

To illustrate his point, the MP recounted the experience of an Okada rider who claimed business conditions have worsened since the New Patriotic Party (NPP) left office, adding that operating costs under the current administration have made it difficult to stay afloat.

His comments, widely circulated on social media by ASK GH Media, quickly drew mixed reactions, sparking debate across the political divide.

Fuel prices remain one of the most politically sensitive issues in the country, with increases often felt immediately by transport operators, traders and workers in the informal sector.

Although the government has attributed pricing pressures to global market trends and inherited economic challenges, Mr Shaib suggested these explanations are failing to convince many citizens.

Supporters of the MP say his remarks reflect the frustration of workers who feel caught between political promises and the realities of rising living costs.

Critics, however, accuse him of politicising the issue and overlooking broader economic factors beyond the government’s direct control.

The spotlight on okada riders and commercial drivers — key players in Ghana’s urban transport system — underscores how fuel price changes directly affect livelihoods and shape public sentiment.

Shaib’s intervention has once again brought the country’s economic management into sharp focus, raising questions about whether recent measures to stabilise fuel prices are translating into real relief for everyday Ghanaians.