Policy analyst and natural resource governance advocate, Dr. Steve Manteaw, has reacted to Parliament’s decision to approve the Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, introducing a GH¢1 levy on petroleum products.
In the analyst’s view, although this is a well-intended move, it lacks a strong accountability mechanism.
He asserted that this will promote potential abuse and misapplication of the funds. He noted that this will adversely affect transport fares and food prices and will also undermine the call for traders to reduce their prices.
He has therefore proposed to the government to introduce a sunset clause so that the new amended bill does not assume a perpetual character, like the TOR Debt Recovery Levy.
He also advised the government to consider leveraging the gains made from the Cedi’s appreciation and rising gold and cocoa prices to defray part of the energy sector indebtedness.
Read below his suggestions
- Well intended, but lacks strong accountability mechanism. This exposes it to potential abuse, including misapplication.
- May adversely affect transport fares and food prices, undermining government’s call on traders to reduce prices.
- Too onerous for consumers if placed on a littre of petroleum products. Should rather be placed on a gallon, or reduced to 25p per littre to moderate its effect on cost of living.
- Provide a sunset clause, so that, it does not assume a pertual character, like the TOR debt Recovery Levy.
- Maybe, we should leverage on the gains from the Cedi’s resurgence and rising gold and cocoa prices to defray part of the energy sector indebtedness.
SHALOM!!!
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
