The minority caucus has opposed the approval of a GHS1-per-litre levy on petroleum products, characterising it as an egregious imposition on Ghanaians.
According to the caucus, the levy was passed through Parliament without adequate transparency, public consultation, or notice, unlike previous taxes such as the E-Levy, which underwent open debate.
The Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was passed by Parliament on June 3, introducing an additional GHS1 charge on every litre of fuel, with the government anticipating to raise GHS5.7 billion to support energy sector debt payments and procure thermal fuel for power generation.
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson recently disclosed that Ghana owes $3.1 billion in energy-related debts and requires an additional $3.7 billion to settle arrears, as well as $1.2 billion for fuel in 2025.
Speaking at a press conference on June 9, 2025, Member of Parliament for Oforikrom, Michael Kwasi Aidoo, expressed deep concern over the lack of transparency surrounding the levy.
“The E-Levy was advertised in the budget and followed up with town hall meetings, and it underwent extensive public consultation before the bill was finally passed in Parliament. This fuel levy was smuggled through to avoid any form of engagement, consultation or scrutiny.
“It was neither advertised in the budget nor on the main order paper for the day. That is why we say that this amounts to midnight robbery. The E-Levy had an effective rate of 1% per transaction, yet it was described as pickpocketing. This dumsor levy has the effective effect of 8% per transaction, which is why we say that it is midnight robbery.
“While the E-Levy had a cascading effect, this dumsor levy has a total over 100% cascading effect because it affects transportation and consequently any item that is transported. The E-Levy was designed to yield approximately GHS2 billion from persons who elected to do transfers or transactions. This government is taking GHS5.6 billion from the pockets of Ghanaians, and we think it is very dishonest,” he said.
