Kofi Ahovi

 The government’s proposed GH¢1.00 per litre fuel levy is set to take effect on Wednesday, July 16, after a brief postponement to allow for further consultations. The levy, aimed at restoring stability in the country’s power sector, has faced strong opposition from the minority in Parliament as well as key stakeholders in the transport and oil industries. However, the Coalition of Commercial Transport Operators is calling for the suspension of the policy, describing it as a “reckless and retrogressive” tax imposed without adequate stakeholder engagement. The Coalition—which represents over 90% of commercial transport providers nationwide—warns that if the levy is implemented as planned, commuters should expect a nationwide 30% increase in transport fares starting July 16. Speaking to  Citi News , Charles Danso, Chairman of the Ghana Committed Drivers Association, said the levy is unsustainable and would drive many operators out of business. This is not just a GH¢1 tax. We are ...

  The government has announced that the implementation of the Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Act, 2025 (Act 1141), will officially commence on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. This follows a prior postponement by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) aimed at monitoring global market conditions and preserving recent gains in domestic fuel prices. Ghanaian fashion The decision was made in consultation with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Energy, following a comprehensive review of current market indicators. Authorities said that the timing aligns with the government’s broader efforts to maintain economic stability while addressing the financial needs of the energy sector. The amended law, first detailed in Tax Information Circular (TIO) No. 2025/004, introduces revised rates for the  Energy Sector Shortfall and Debt Repayment Levy (ESSDRL)  across several petroleum products. These changes are expected to help close funding gaps and support the repayment of legacy debts ...

The Minority in Parliament has called on the government to permanently scrap the proposed fuel levy and explore more sustainable ways of generating revenue to address Ghana’s energy sector debt. The appeal follows the government’s decision to postpone the implementation of the GHS1 per litre fuel levy, which was initially scheduled to take effect today, June 16, 2025. Speaking to the media, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Economy Committee and MP for Ofoase Ayirebi emphasized that taxing petroleum products is not a sustainable approach to revenue mobilisation. We as a Minority have called on the government to go beyond the suspension and scrap the levy entirely,” he said. “This suspension reveals two things: First, we warned that introducing the levy would increase pump prices. Second, assuming international fuel prices would remain stable was flawed.” He further explained that the government’s decision to suspend the levy is an admission of miscalculation. “While we wait for the sc...