Franklin Cudjoe, the President of the policy think tank IMANI Africa has urged the Energy Minister John Jinapor to discontinue the ¢1 fuel levy passed by parliament.
The Energy Sector Levy Amendment Bill 2025 introduces a GH¢1 increase in the levy on petroleum products.
According to reports the measure will generate some GH¢5.7 billion in revenue to help reduce energy sector debts and help solve the erratic power supply commonly known as dumsor.
In a brief statement on the floor of Parliament, Ato Forson detailed that at least $3.7 billion is needed to clear the current energy sector debt.
Speaking on the floor of parliament, Ato Forson stated, “A minimum of $3.7 billion is needed to clean up the overall energy sector’s indebtedness for us to have a clean slate. In the year 2025, the government will require an additional $1.2 billion to procure essential fuel for thermal power generation alone. The power sector risks imminent collapse if these unsustainable debts are not resolved.
“The government is proposing an increase in the X pump price of diesel, petrol, and related products. The impact will be absorbed by the gains made from the strong performance of the Ghana cedi. And this will mean that consumers will not have to pay extra for the price of diesel and petrol, beginning today, June 3,” he added.
The Minority Caucus however described the levy as inappropriate and staged a walkout during the approval.
Franklin Cudjoe reacting to the proposed bill stated on X, “Dumsor Levy replaces E-levy? My dear brother energy minister, please discontinue this dream immediately.
He further noted that there are many ways in which waste can be cut.
Please there is a lot of waste in the sector you are aware of. We can help you cut ✂️ the waste now.!! Benjamin Kwabena Boakye @benboakye @BBSimons”, he added.
Meanwhile, Benjamin Nsiah, the Executive Director of the Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development has stated the government’s newly approved GHȼ1 fuel levy is regressive, uncreative and detrimental to already strained consumers.
See the post below:
Dumsor Levy replaces E-levy? My dear brother energy minister, please discontinue this dream immediately. Please there is a lot of waste in the sector you are aware of. We can help you cut ✂️ the waste now.!! Benjamin Kwabena Boakye @benboakye @BBSimons pic.twitter.com/rDmj7j7RMZ
— Franklin CUDJOE (@lordcudjoe) June 3, 2025
