The government should immediately remove the GH¢1 “dumsor levy,” according to the Minority in Parliament, which has warned that the measure will put further financial strain on Ghanaians who are already struggling.
Collins Adomako Mensah, Deputy Ranking Member of the Energy Committee, called the levy “ill-timed and insensitive,” arguing that the government should instead concentrate on increasing the efficiency of the energy sector, cutting losses, and addressing mismanagement.
He also noted that the ongoing tensions between Israel, the US, and Iran have raised the price of crude oil globally, which has a direct effect on fuel costs in Ghana.
He argues that the levy’s implementation, which is meant to assist in resolving issues in the electricity industry, comes at a time when businesses and individuals are struggling with growing living expenses, exorbitant utility bills, and overall economic strains.
He maintained that rather than offering long-term solutions to the nation’s energy issues, the action runs the risk of making suffering worse.
He questioned why consumers should be forced to pay for what they perceive to be structural flaws.
He urged the government to promptly remove the Ghana Cedi levy under a certificate of urgency and to thoroughly examine all taxes and levies included in petroleum pricing, saying that “keeping the one Ghana Cedi levy is punishment.”
He also advised the government to look into other funding options that don’t directly affect consumers, such as reducing unnecessary spending and improving tax collection within current systems.
Concerns about the planned levy’s possible effects on livelihoods and business operations have already been raised by certain civil society organisations and energy analysts.
Adomako Mensah noted that between January and December 2025, the government paid almost $1.47 billion to settle all outstanding gas invoices and refund GH597 million based on the World Bank partial risk guarantee.
“With the World Bank guarantee fully restored and the energy sector debt cleared, the justification for the GH₵1 levy has completely evaporated,” he continued.
Source: newsthemegh.com