Afenyo-Markin slams gov’t over ‘backdoor’ return of e-levy through fuel tax

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin criticized the Mahama administration. He called their tax policy a deceptive U-turn. This followed the passage of the Energy Sector Levy Amendment Bill 2025.

Afenyo-Markin said, “You presented your budget saying you are not going to introduce new taxes and levies. Then you turn and say you are repealing e-levy, but now you are bringing back e-levy.” He expressed frustration over this contradiction.

His comments came after Parliament approved the bill on June 4, 2025. The legislation imposes a GHS 1 charge on every litre of fuel. The government claims this is necessary to improve Ghana’s energy sector.

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson introduced the bill under a certificate of urgency. He noted that the energy sector's total debt was US$3.1 billion as of March 2025. Forson assured lawmakers that pump prices would not rise immediately due to strong performance by the Ghana Cedi.

The Minority staged a walkout before the bill passed. They accused the government of breaking its promise not to introduce new taxes in 2025. Afenyo-Markin stated, “This is not what Ghanaians voted for.” He insisted this move erodes public trust and increases hardship for citizens.

Despite opposition protests, the Majority used its numbers to pass the bill.