The 2024 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has taken a swipe at the Mahama-led administration following the introduction of a new energy sector levy, describing it as a “Dumsor Levy.”
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 GHS1. The move is aimed at raising revenue to address growing debts in the energy sector and to support power supply reliability.
Addressing party supporters on Wednesday, June 4, Bawumia 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 time the E-levy.
He pointed out that consumers now face higher taxes on petroleum products, noting that, “If you buy one gallon of petrol, you will pay GHC1. If you buy GHC1,000 of petrol, you will pay GHC83 as tax. E-Levy GHC1,000 charges were GHC10,” he indicated.
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.”
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has defended the fuel hike, stating that it is difficult but necessary.
Presenting the bill, Finance Minister Dr. Ato Forson justified the tax increase by citing the urgent need for funds to clear energy sector debts, which currently stand at GHS 3.1 billion. He also noted that the government requires $3.7 billion to clear the debt and an additional $1.2 billion to secure fuel for thermal power generation in 2025.
Forson 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.
Cedi will remain stable against major foreign currencies – Ato Forson
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