Economist Professor Patrick Asuming has said Ghanaians are better off accepting the newly introduced GHC1 fuel levy in light of the ongoing energy sector crisis.
His comments come in response to the Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, recently passed by Parliament. The bill introduces a GHS1 tax on fuel to raise revenue to clear mounting energy sector debts and improve power supply stability.
Speaking on The Big Issue with Selorm Adonoo on Channel One TV on Saturday, June 7, Prof. Asuming expressed support for the policy, noting that resolving the energy crisis is critical to Ghana’s economic progress.
“As Ghanaians, we know the problems in the energy sector, and we’re better off accepting the GHC1 per litre levy, if it is indeed going to fix the problem, than wait for the whole thing to come crashing down on us,” he said.
He stressed that without addressing the power sector’s challenges, key government initiatives such as industrialisation and the 24-hour economy would struggle to materialise.
“Everybody knows that if we don’t deal with the energy sector problems, we’re not going anywhere. We can have all the other big plans, all these things about industrialisation, a 24-hour economy. Anything that we’re talking about, we have to address the energy sector,” he stated.
However, Prof. Asuming criticised the timing and communication of the levy’s implementation.
“My only issue is the timing and how it has been presented. The confusion about whether it is fuel only or not doesn’t help,” he stated.
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