Economist and University of Ghana Business School lecturer, Professor Patrick Asuming, has cautioned the Mahama administration that public dissatisfaction could grow if the newly introduced GHS1 fuel levy does not deliver on its intended purpose.
His warning follows the passage of the Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which imposes a GHS1 tax per litre of fuel to raise funds aimed at clearing energy sector debts and stabilising electricity supply.
Speaking on The Big Issue with Selorm Adonoo on Channel One TV on Saturday, June 7, Prof. Asuming stressed that the government must ensure the levy is used exactly as promised — for the procurement of fuel and improvement of power supply.
“It is important for the government that when you bring a levy and it comes with a promiset is important that you deliver on the promise.
“I think among many other challenges, one of the big things the E-levy did was that it came with a particular promise, and we paid the levy, and that promise was not fulfilled. It’s important that if you say it is going to help us procure the fuel, let’s not come back two months down the line with another explanation,” he cautioned.
He also noted that mishandling the levy could damage the goodwill the government currently enjoys.
“I hope the government has taken all other factors into consideration before bringing this, because the government has started very well, and it still has goodwill. There’s a sense that this might ruin part of the goodwill.
“But if ultimately Ghanaians begin to see the fruits of paying this levy, I think ultimately it might die down. But if along the line some other stories come up, or mid-year budget review, I think Ghanaians will not be very pleased with them,” he warned.
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