The Member of Parliament for Effia Constituency and a Member of Parliament’s Finance Committee, Isaac Boamah-Nyarko, has cautioned that the government’s decision to impose a new GH¢1-per-litre Fuel Levy could reverse recent economic gains and trigger market instability.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with GhanaWeb’s Parliamentary Correspondent, George Ayisi, on June 6, 2025, in the wake of strong public backlash against the controversial energy sector levy, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP expressed concern over the timing, quantum, and lack of public consultation surrounding the tax.
“The aftermath of the levy tells us that it is an unpopular imposition of tax, even if the government has good reasons to impose this tax. The question is the quantum of one cedi per litre and its impact on our newfound appreciation of the cedi and reduction in the cost of goods and services,” he said.
Boamah-Nyarko argued that such a sudden fiscal move could disturb the fragile progress the economy is beginning to witness.
“So, when you see these positives coming into the economy and then you hit it back with another taxing position, then it causes a lot of destabilisations in the system and on the market,” he stated.
He also criticised the lack of engagements with citizens and industry players ahead of the levy’s rollout.
“The bigger conversation is; why were Ghanaians not informed? Why didn’t they engage people? At the end of the day, we are the ones going to pay. Why didn’t they allow us to think through it?” he questioned.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has revised the implementation date for the new GH¢1-per-litre levy following stiff resistance from the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC).
Originally set to take effect today, June 9, the levy will now be implemented from June 16, 2025.
“The Association has concerns with the June 9, 2025, implementation date. We have discussed with their leadership in the spirit of cordiality and partnership and have agreed a new start date of June 16,” the GRA stated in a release.
The levy is part of the government’s broader effort to settle longstanding debts in the energy sector.
However, industry players argue that the measure was rushed and risks increasing fuel prices at the pumps, adding to the burden on consumers.
AM/AE
