By Francis Kobena Tandoh
Former Vice President and 2024 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, on Wednesday criticized the Mahama-led administration following the introduction of a new energy sector levy, describing it as a “Dumsor Levy.”
Addressing party supporters on Wednesday in the Central Region (province), the former Vice President accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of double standards and deception.
“The NDC has been telling lies. On June 3, you all saw what they did in the evening. They have introduced ‘Dumsor’ Levy, ‘Dumsor’ Levy. They criticised the ‘E-levy and cancelled it, now they have introduced ‘Dumsor’ Levy. It is the 8th times the E-levy,” said Dr. Bawumia.
According to him, consumers now face higher taxes on petroleum products, noting that, “If you buy one gallon of petrol, you will pay GH₵1. If you buy GH₵1,000 of petrol, you will pay GH₵83 as tax. E-Levy GH₵1,000 charges were GH₵10,” said the former Vice President.
Bawumia warned that Ghanaians could expect further tax hikes by 2028 under the NDC, but expressed hope that voters would reject them and bring the NPP back to power.
“More of the taxes will be introduced when we get to 2028, I’m hopeful that Ghanaians will see their true colours and they will tell us to return to power.”
The Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was laid before Parliament by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and passed on Tuesday, June 3, increases the levy on petroleum products by GH₵1. The move is aimed at raising revenue to address growing debts in the energy sector and to support power supply reliability.
Presenting the bill, Ato Forson justified the tax increase citing the urgent need for funds to clear energy sector debts, which currently stand at GH₵ 3.1 billion. He also noted that the government requires 3.7 billion U.S. dollars to clear the debt and an additional 1.2 billion U.S. dollars to secure fuel for thermal power generation in 2025.
The Finance Minister argued that the impact of the tax would be cushioned by the recent stability of the cedi, which has helped reduce import costs, especially in the petroleum sector.
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has defended the fuel hike, stating that it is difficult but necessary. Enditem
Source: Ghana Eye Report
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