GH¢1 Fuel Levy: Downstream has paid enough, show us results - Oil marketers tell government

The Chief Executive of the Association of Oil Marketing Companies (AOMCs) has criticized the government's approach to Ghana's energy crisis.

Dr. Riverson Oppong believes the downstream petroleum sector has done its part. He insists it deserves real results now.

His comments came after Parliament approved the Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025. This bill adds a GH¢1 levy on every litre of petroleum sold. The government claims this new levy is necessary to address rising energy sector debts and ensure stable electricity supply. However, Dr. Oppong disagrees.

“We’ve supported the electricity business for quite a long time,” he said on Joy News’ PM Express on June 4. He noted that when the Energy Sector Levies Act (ESLA) was enacted, the downstream sector complied and paid its share. Last year alone, ESLA raised at least GH¢9 billion from their contributions. “So where did the money go?” he asked.

Dr. Oppong argues that adding another GH¢1 levy will not solve fundamental issues in the energy sector. “It’s not about increasing ESLA or adding another GH¢1,” he stated. “If you’re building a storey building on a very soft foundation, it will collapse.”

He acknowledged how painful power outages are for ordinary Ghanaians, especially at night during hot weather. He also pointed out that these outages are not pleasant for the government either.

Dr. Oppong mentioned that the Energy Sector Recovery Programme (ESRP) was created to address such crises. He questioned what this new levy aims to achieve and what other options were considered to prevent future problems.

The AOMCs CEO emphasized that his concerns extend beyond costs; they include transparency as well.