Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, has thrown his support behind the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) for rejecting the controversial Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, arguing that the new surcharge is even more burdensome than the much-criticised E-Levy.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile programme on Saturday, 7 June, Bentil questioned the effectiveness of the levy in resolving Ghana’s energy sector crisis.
“All I am saying is that if this was going to solve the energy sector crisis, I will support it, but it is more than E-Levy, so NPP have a right to be up against it,” he stated.
His remarks echo growing public concern over the financial strain the levy may place on citizens and businesses, particularly amid a fragile economic recovery.
Parliament recently passed the Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill under a certificate of urgency, introducing a GH¢1 per litre surcharge on petroleum products.
The Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, explained that the measure is necessary to raise funds to address a US$3.1 billion debt in the energy sector and secure an additional US$1.2 billion for fuel procurement in 2025.
The Minority Caucus in Parliament, however, has condemned the levy as a “predatory tax,” warning that it could drain GH¢5.7 billion annually from the economy.
They have accused the government of rushing the bill through without adequate stakeholder consultation or transparency regarding how the funds will be utilised.
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