The Minority in Parliament has warned that the newly introduced GH₵1 fuel levy may only be the beginning of more tax measures to come from the government.
Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, told journalists that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration is planning additional tax policies in the coming months, based on intelligence gathered by the caucus.
“We are anticipating more taxes,” he said. “It is not that they have informed us. It is based on intel we have picked that they will be introducing more taxes within the next two years.”
READ: President Mahama Signs GH¢1 Fuel Levy into Law
He cited the recent extension of the sunset clause of the sustainability levy — initially set to expire in 2025 — as evidence that the government is pursuing a path of expanding its tax base.
“This is the same government that has extended the sunset clause for the sustainability levy to 2028,” Annoh-Dompreh stated. “They raised it under the guise of coming to raise revenue without necessarily putting out new taxes, but we see through it.”
Parliament earlier this week approved the Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Bill under a certificate of urgency, imposing a GH₵1 tax on every litre of petroleum product to help pay down the energy sector’s $3.1 billion debt. The Minority boycotted the vote and has since demanded a withdrawal or significant reduction of the levy.
Annoh-Dompreh said the Minority intends to resist the policy through a series of public engagements and community consultations. “Our MPs will go to their constituencies to explain to the people that this is the tax they’re going to pay, and we will take input from Ghanaians to shape our actions.”
He hinted that demonstrations and town hall meetings were on the table but stressed that any protest would be driven by the people. “We will stand toe-to-toe in solidarity with the people of this country. This is a slap in their face, and we won’t let it slide.”
The government has defended the levy as necessary to stabilise the power sector, but the Minority insists that it reflects a broader pattern of fiscal burdening and broken promises.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Risa Wyettey Cofie
