Pay higher electricity tariffs or support fuel levy — Vanderpuye

Nii Lantey Vanderpuye is the National Coordinator of the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP). He has urged Ghanaians to support the new GHS1 fuel levy. He warned that without this levy, electricity tariffs could rise by 50%.

Vanderpuye spoke on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on June 5. He called the levy a necessary step to generate revenue. This revenue will help stabilize power supply without raising electricity prices.

He explained that this levy addresses a problem we created ourselves. If we do not implement it, we may face higher electricity costs. People can either pay more for electricity or contribute to the GHS1 levy.

The Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was passed by Parliament on June 3. It introduces a GHS1 per litre charge on petroleum products. The government aims to raise about GHS5.7 billion through this levy.

This money will help address energy sector debts and secure fuel for thermal power plants. Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson stated that the energy sector has a $3.1 billion debt. An additional $3.7 billion is needed to clear arrears and $1.2 billion for fuel supplies in 2025.

Vanderpuye stressed that the goal is not to burden citizens further. Instead, it is to prevent erratic power supply, known as dumsor, which affects households and businesses negatively. He noted that it’s either tariffs or taxes; hence, they chose this tax approach to avoid increasing tariffs.