Dumsor levy: Sulemana Braimah demands accountability for GH¢26bn fuel taxes paid in 2024

Sulemana Braimah, Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), is calling for accountability. He demands answers about the nearly GH¢26 billion in fuel taxes paid by Ghanaians in 2024.

Braimah warns that new levies on fuel could worsen public disillusionment. He believes these taxes will increase economic inequality.

In a Facebook post, he criticized Parliament's approval of the Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025. He questioned the need for a new GH¢1 tax on every litre of fuel sold. This tax adds to the burden on struggling citizens.

“Resetting Ghana shouldn’t mean taxing the poor,” he wrote. “It should focus on reducing waste and corruption.”

He highlighted that Ghanaians paid almost GH¢26 billion in fuel taxes last year. Yet, the government claims it needs over $3 billion to fix energy issues.

“Where did all that money go? What problems did it solve?” he asked, demanding transparency from the government.

The Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill passed in Parliament on June 3. It has faced criticism from civil society and political opposition groups. They describe it as regressive and unjust.

The levy aims to raise funds to tackle Ghana’s growing energy debt and ensure stable power supply. However, Braimah argues that mismanagement and corruption are causing the energy crisis, not a lack of resources.

“We should recover over GH¢38 billion lost to waste and looting,” he stated, referencing Auditor-General reports highlighting financial irregularities.

Braimah also criticized the National Petroleum Authority (NPA). He hinted at a significant scandal involving millions lost in early 2025.

His comments come amid rising living costs and public frustration with governance. Many Ghanaians are echoing his concerns online, calling for audits of past fuel levies and clarity on public fund usage.