Pressure group, The People’s Forum, has petitioned the Ministry of Finance, demanding that the government intervenes to mitigate the soaring cost of petroleum products.
The group argued in the petition that the current fuel pricing regime is “killing” citizens and creating an unbearable ripple effect on the cost of transport, food, and basic necessities.
The petition also called for total overhaul of specific levies that the group describes as exploitative and unnecessary given the current global economic climate.
To the group, there is a perceived disconnect between the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration’s campaign promises and its current fiscal policies.
They cited the Price Stabilisation Levy, which the group claims the NDC promised to suspend during economic hardships in its 2024 Manifesto.
”That promise has not been kept,” the group stated in its public declaration, further alleging that the government continues to collect the “Borla Tax” (GH 0.10/litre) under a different name, despite attacking it as “anti-poor” while in opposition.
They also challenged the introduction of a new GH 1.00/litre levy, which, according to them, is purportedly designed to fund fuel for electricity generation.
The group claims that 97.5% of energy generation costs are already recovered through existing electricity tariffs.
The Forum has labelled the additional GH 1.00 levy a “double charge” with no legitimate basis.
The group contends that the government has the “fiscal space” to provide relief due to high global crude oil prices.
According to the petition, Ghana’s share of oil exports is currently worth billions of cedis more than originally budgeted.
”The money is there. There is no excuse for passing this burden onto ordinary Ghanaians,” the statement read, urging the government to use the current petroleum windfall to cover any revenue shortfalls resulting from tax cuts.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
