The Minority in Parliament has accused the government of side-stepping parliamentary leadership and failing to follow due process in the introduction of the controversial GH₵1 per litre fuel levy.
Speaking to the media in Parliament, Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh expressed deep frustration over what he described as a deliberate and unconsulted move by the government to pass the Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Bill under a certificate of urgency.
“This business was introduced via an addendum paper,” he said. “Oftentimes, the practice in this House has been that if there’s going to be an introduction of business by an addendum, at least the leadership will be in the know. Nobody in the leadership— I can say this on authority— knew about it.”
READ: We Are Anticipating More Taxes” – Minority Raises Red Flag After GH₵1 Fuel Levy
The bill, which imposes a GH₵1 tax on every litre of petroleum products, was passed earlier this week despite a boycott by the Minority, who strongly opposed both the content and the manner in which it was passed.
Annoh-Dompreh added that the Minority was not formally informed, and described the process as lacking transparency and respect for parliamentary norms.
Beyond the procedural concerns, he raised alarm about what he called a broader pattern of tax impositions without proper stakeholder engagement, warning that more levies could be introduced in the near future.
“We are anticipating more taxes. It’s not just going to be a Dumsor levy,” he said. “Based on intel we’ve picked, they’ll be introducing more taxes in the next two years.”
The Minority says it plans to engage the public, transport unions, and constituents on the impact of the levy, and hinted at broader protest actions to come.
“We’re going to stand toe-to-toe in solidarity with the people of this country. This is a slap in the face of our people,” he added.
The Energy Sector Levy is intended to help address a $3.1 billion energy sector debt, but critics argue it will worsen the economic burden on ordinary Ghanaians.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Risa Wyettey Cofie
