Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin says the government’s indefinite suspension of the controversial Energy Sector Levy, aka ‘Dumsor Levy’, is proof of deep hypocrisy, confusion, and incompetence on the part of the Mahama-led administration.
He described the U-turn as a “shameful retreat” and said it completely exposes the NDC’s “intellectual dishonesty.”
“Just months ago, they were shouting from every rooftop that our administration was using COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war as excuses. Now they are in power and using the Middle East crisis to justify crude oil volatility? That is the height of hypocrisy,” he stated.
The Effutu MP slammed what he called the government’s chaotic approach to policymaking.
“This eleventh-hour postponement shows they had no plan. No stakeholder consultation. Just trial and error. How do you pass a levy and cancel its implementation a few days before it kicks in?”
He accused the NDC of betraying their own campaign promises.
“They promised relief. They promised no new taxes. Now, here they are introducing punitive energy taxes, and then suspending them when Ghanaians push back. That is not leadership. That is panic.”
The Minority Leader said the NDC cannot escape accountability.
“We will not allow them to blame the current power crisis on the absence of this levy. Akufo-Addo kept the lights on without taxing Ghanaians into hardship. They cannot use their failed tax as a scapegoat.”
Mr Afenyo-Markin called the government’s justification for the levy hollow.
“They claim they need it to pay energy sector debts. But under Akufo-Addo, we managed the power sector responsibly without burdening people. We didn’t hide behind crises. We planned and executed.”
He demanded that Parliament be recalled immediately to repeal the Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Act, 2025 under a certificate of urgency.
“Postponing it is not enough. This levy must go. Ghanaians deserve better.”
He also warned that the Minority would resist any attempt to reintroduce the levy in future.
“We are ready to stand with Ghanaians. Any attempt to revive this levy will be rejected. Completely.”
Turning to the broader power sector issues, Mr Afenyo-Markin called for urgent structural reforms.
“What is happening at ECG is a disgrace. Expired meters are still running. People are using power without paying because the systems are broken. That is not the fault of the people. That is a failure of governance.”
He said the Loss Reduction Programme started under the previous administration, has stalled.
“Communities are crying for prepaid meters. The companies are there. The contracts exist. What is the delay? The Minister must bring the full policy documents to Parliament. Now.”
Mr Afenyo-Markin accused the government of disconnecting from the people’s economic reality.
“They are out of touch. Ghanaians are suffering. And instead of easing the pressure, they are finding creative ways to tax them. That is not what they promised.”
He ended with a strong warning: “Any response short of total repeal is unacceptable. Not just to us in the Minority, but to the people of Ghana.”
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