The Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (Act 1135), was enacted into law by Parliament on Tuesday night under a certificate of urgency.
In order to generate extra funds to assist in the settlement of energy industry arrears, the bill suggested raising the Energy Industry Shortfall and Debt Repayment Levy.
It is anticipated that the levy’s proceeds will lower the legacy debt of the energy sector and guarantee a steady supply of electricity nationwide.
At precisely 23:10 on Tuesday, June 03, 2025, the bill—which was examined under a certificate of urgency—was signed into law following its third reading.
After the Speaker opposed their request for a head count, the Minority Caucus staged a walkout and then carried out a symbolic hand washing outside the House Chamber.
The government is anticipated to receive GHc5.7 billion from the energy sector levy.
Earlier, the measure to alter the Energy Sector Levies Act, 2025, to allow the government to impose an energy levy on petroleum products was presented to the House by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
It is anticipated that each liter of petroleum products will cost one Ghana Cedi.
A specific source of income for the electricity industry, the charge, according to the minister, would be used to buy necessary fuel for power generation and, eventually, put an end to the “dumsor,” or protracted cycle of power outages.
As of March of this year, the energy sector owed $3.7 billion, which Dr. Forson indicated was the reason for the decision.
The House was reassured by Dr. Forson that the excellent performance of the Ghana cedi would offset the impact of the new levy on petroleum prices, guaranteeing that consumers would not have to pay more for gasoline or diesel.
At the same time, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Minority Caucus fiercely opposed the measure under the New Patriotic Party Administration, calling it another “e-levy.”
According to Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader, the charge would raise the price of petroleum products by GHc4.50 per gallon.
The Majority Caucus’ decision to enact the bill at the “death of the night” was deemed dishonorable by the Minority Leader.
NPP Member of Parliament for Afigya Kwabre North, Mr. Collins Adomako Mensah, claimed the fee will raise the cost of gasoline by 105%, diesel by 11%, and marine fuel by 40%.
The lawmaker was shocked to learn that the NDC Majority Caucus, which had resisted additional taxes during its opposition, was suddenly praising Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson for enacting a new tax to burden Ghanaians.
“Have you guaranteed the Ghanaians that? Is this the reset that you were discussing? … E-levy promax is this. As Ghanaians, we, the minority, would oppose the bill,” Mr. Adomako Mensah emphasized.
Source: newsthemegh.com