Former Minister of Energy, Dr Kwabena Donkor
Former Minister of Energy, Dr Kwabena Donkor, has said the proposal to consolidate fuel levies is a step in the right direction but warns it will not bring immediate relief to consumers.
Speaking on the #AMShow on JoyNews and monitored by GhanaWeb, he explained that while consolidation could improve administrative efficiency, it won’t reduce fuel prices right away.
“There are areas within the existing fuel price build-up – like the Uniform Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF) and private distribution margins – where savings can be made.
“These costs are transport-related, and with global fuel prices dropping, part of the savings could be used to cushion the proposed one cedi tax,” he stated.
However, he stressed that any new levy must go through Parliament, as required by the 1992 Constitution.
This statement follows Parliament’s approval of the new fuel levy on Tuesday, June 3, a move that has attracted public backlash, particularly from opposition NPP MPs.