Epidemiologist and Associate Professor at the University of Cape Coast, Professor Kofi Amegah says the current sharp and form of the emission levy being implemented by the government is wrongly done.
This comes on the back of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) announcing the Emissions Levy Act, 2023 (Act 1112) which comes into effect February 1, 2024.
According to the GRA, the ACT imposes a levy on carbon dioxide equivalent emissions on internal combustion engine vehicles.
The GRA further explained that the move forms part of the government’s efforts aimed at dealing with greenhouse gas emissions to encourage the use of green energy and eco-friendly technology to enhance environmental management and reduce overall pollution levels in the air and water.
Speaking on Morning Starr with Francis Abban, the lecturer stated that those who should pay the emission levy are persons driving rickety vehicles.
“I think it was introduced to address carbon emission but I must also indicate that air pollution and climate change are two sides of the same coin.
“I want to be educated or I need to know whether that emission levy is really targeted at addressing carbon emission or even including air quality or it is just another revenue stream? Because in other parts of the world these emission levies are not implemented in this manner. In fact, it is a punitive measure to get people to abandon their old rickety vehicles and go and buy brand new vehicles which are less emission,” Prof Amegah stated.
He continued: “But this is not what we are seeing with this implementation of the emission levy. It is just all of us being boxed in together. You are fortunate to be driving a 2022 vehicle, somebody is driving a 2000 rickety vehicle. Why are we all paying emission tax?”
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM
