Africa-Press – Ghana. Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the Finance Minister, on Tuesday introduced the Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Bill, 2025, to Parliament, proposing a significant increase in taxes on petroleum products.
The bill, submitted under a certificate of urgency, aims to raise funds to address an alleged energy sector’s substantial debt and procure essential fuels for thermal plants.
The Bill proposes to peg the levy at GH¢1 per liter of fuel, up from the current 20 pesewas per liter charge on petrol and diesel.
According to Dr. Forson, the funds generated will be used to reduce the sector’s $3.1 billion debt and clear payment shortfalls.
“Mr. Speaker, the recent appreciation of the cedi will absorb the impact of the tax increase, resulting in no significant net effect on consumers,” he told Parliament.
In his reaction, Osahen Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader, criticized the government for allegedly deceiving Ghanaians by introducing new taxes, including the proposed Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Bill, 2025, while claiming to remove others.
“Mr. Speaker, the government’s actions will further burden citizens, particularly in light of the economic challenges already being faced,” he said.
The Minority Leader emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in tax policies to avoid placing undue hardship on Ghanaians.
On his part, Mr. Mahama Ayariga argued that the new levy was necessary to support the energy sector and deal with the persistent issue of erratic power supply, also known as “dumsor.”
The First Deputy Speaker, Mr. Bernard Ahiafor, presiding over proceedings, referred the Bill to the Finance Committee to determine the urgency of the Bill and review its provisions.
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