By Francis Kobena Tandoh
Commercial transport operators on Thursday called on the government to reverse the GH₵1 fuel levy or the ‘dumsor’ levy introduced this week to promote harmony.
Industrial Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Abass Ibrahim Imoro observed that drivers across the country will embark on a massive demonstration should the government refused to listen to them.
According to him, the decision to introduce and implement the levy was taken without adequate consultation and expressed resentment with the levy, describing it as a measure that will bring untoward hardship to commercial drivers and transport business owners across the country.
“We are calling on the government to reverse the levy immediately and engage us and stakeholders on the way forward. In the event that our call is not heeded, we will be compelled to take industrial action and park our vehicles on June 10, 2025,” said Imoro.
“We urge the government to consider the impact of the levy on the transport sector and the consequences of our action on the economy, and engage us in meaningful deliberations to help address challenges in the energy sector,” he added.
The introduction of the levy follows the recent approval of the Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, by Parliament.
The bill imposes a GH₵1 increase in the levy on petroleum products and is expected to generate an estimated GH₵5.7 billion in revenue annually.
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has said the revenue will be used to reduce the country’s ballooning energy sector debt, which currently stands at 3.1 billion U.S. dollars.
He added that an additional 1.2 billion U.S. dollars will also be needed to procure fuel for thermal power generation in 2025.
Since the introduction of the levy, critics of the government including former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia say the fuel levy is eight times the electronic levy (e-levy) repealed by the government and that it will overburden the Ghanaian people.
However, President John Mahama has also indicated the levy, “even though difficult is necessary to stabilize the country’s energy sector.” Enditem
Source: Ghana Eye Report
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