Parliament has approved the Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, introducing a GH¢1 levy on petroleum products.
The government says the bill aims to raise additional revenue to deal with the energy sector debt and ensure a stable power supply.
It was passed under a certificate of urgency late Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
The Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, who laid the bill under a certificate of urgency, stated that the energy sector’s total indebtedness stood at US$3.1 billion as of March 2025.
He also claimed that a minimum of US$3.7 billion is required to fully clear this debt, with an additional US$1.2 billion needed to procure essential fuel for thermal power generation throughout 2025.
He told the House that the impact of the new levy on ex-pump prices would be absorbed by the gains made from the strong performance of the Ghana Cedi, meaning consumers would not experience an immediate price hike.
However, the Minority Caucus opposed the bill, describing it as an inappropriate burden on Ghanaians, and staged a walkout in protest.
The passage of this bill is expected to generate an additional GH¢5.7 billion in revenue annually to address challenges confronting the sector.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
