Ghana's New Energy Levy: A 'Midnight Robbery'?

Ghana's Energy Sector Levy Sparks Debate: 'Midnight Robbery' or Necessary Measure? Ghana's Parliament is currently embroiled in a heated debate over the newly implemented Energy Sector Levy, also known as the Dumsor Levy. This GH₵1 additional levy on fuel is projected to cost the nation over GH₵5.7 billion this year. The Minority party has sharply criticized the levy, with one member calling it a "midnight robbery." Their argument centers around the fact that the government recently returned GH₵2 billion to Ghanaians following the repeal of the E-Levy. This leads to questions about the economic rationale behind the new levy and its potential impact on the Ghanaian people. "If repealing the E-Levy returned GH₵2 billion to Ghanaians, what does this new levy do?" questioned a member of the Minority party during a press conference. The video footage from the press conference shows the speaker's passionate plea for transparency and accountability. The contrasting figures — GH₵5.7 billion for the new levy versus GH₵2 billion returned from the previous one — highlight the core of the debate. The government has yet to fully respond to these criticisms, leaving the public to grapple with the potential economic consequences of this new levy. The situation underscores the need for clarity and open dialogue to ensure responsible financial management in Ghana.