Ghanatodayonline.com News, Politics, Health, Education & More
The government’s decision to impose a GHS1 fee on fuel products has angered the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), which blames officials for not consulting important parties before passing the bill.
In an interview with Citi Eyewitness News monitored by Ghanatodayonline.com on Wednesday, June 4, GPRTU Industrial Relations Officer Alhaji Abass Imoro called the action a “heavy blow to drivers,” particularly in light of the recent 15% decrease in transportation costs.
“We are not clear with their explanation, because if you are going to take 1 cedi on a litre, that is not small money. We just reduced our lorry fares with some understanding, thinking the appreciation of the cedi and fuel reductions would bring relief, only to wake up the next day to hear of another tax,” he stated.
The Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which increased the petroleum charge by GHS1, was recently approved by Parliament. The new policy, according to the government, will raise an estimated GHS5.7 billion a year to secure fuel for power generation and help pay down the more than $3 billion in debt owed by the energy industry.
The GPRTU, however, feels that greater openness and discussion were required prior to making such a crucial decision, and that the outcome of their background investigation of the levy’s operation will impact their choice.
“We are yet to get a clear explanation on that. This affects professional drivers more, and we believe we should have been part of the conversation. One cedi per litre means a lot. Whenever fuel prices are reduced, we get breathing space. This is something we cannot take lightly,” Alhaji Imoro fumes.
In order to stabilize the economy and ring-fence vital funding, President John Dramani Mahama has justified the government’s decision to impose a new fee on petroleum goods, calling it “difficult but necessary.”
A new law that levied a GHS1 fee on each liter of fuel was approved by Parliament on Monday.
Speaking Tuesday at the Jubilee House at the National Economic Dialogue 2025 final report presentation, the President said the levy is reasonable and wise, albeit acknowledging that the measure has caused Ghanaians to worry.
Former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has criticised the NDC government for introducing a new tax after campaigning against E-levy and eventually scrapping it, calling on Ghanaians to brace themselves for more taxes.
Speaking in Cape Coast at the end of his nationwide ‘Thank You Tour’ in the Central Region, he accused the NDC of campaigning on deceptive promises and acting contrary to what they told Ghanaians during the 2024 election.
“The NDC has told a lot of lies. Everyone sees their lies every day. Last night, I hope you all saw it. They have introduced a dumsor Levy.”
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
