Parliament approves GHS1 fuel levy hike to address energy sector debt

Parliament has approved the Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, introducing a GHS1 increase in the levy on petroleum products.
The measure is expected to generate an additional 5.7 billion Ghana Cedis in revenue to help reduce energy sector debts and support stable power supply.
According to Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the energy sector debt currently stands at $3.1 billion and $3.7 billion dollars is required to clear the arrears fully.
He further stated that the government needs an additional $1.2 billion to procure fuel for thermal power generation for the year 2025.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday June 3, Dr. Forson noted that the increase in the levy will not result in a rise in the ex-pump price of fuel.
Meanwhile, the Minority Caucus expressed its opposition to the levy, describing it as inappropriate and staged a walkout during the approval process and arguing that the Majority lacked the required numbers to take a binding decision on the bill.