By Belinda Nketia
Two governance and communications experts have called for stronger public engagement and education following Parliament’s approval of the GH¢1 per litre fuel levy.
Appearing on the GTV Breakfast Show with host Kafui Dey, Dr Kweku Anane Gyinde, a corporate governance expert and lecturer at the GIMPA Law Faculty, said that while taxes are vital for national development, rolling them out without adequate consultation risks undermining public support.
“As an institution, if you want to make any decision or regulation, your intention is not to punish the people but to ensure compliance. It’s important to engage the public beforehand so they have time to adjust, understand the need for it, and support it,” he said.
Dr Gyinde said he could not confirm whether the government had engaged the public ahead of the levy’s introduction, but noted that the controversial E-Levy had left many Ghanaians wary of sudden policy announcements.
“It’s not too late for the government to return, engage, and sensitize the people, because all this unrest does not help the country,” he added.
Communications specialist and legal practitioner Zakaria Tanko Musah shared similar views. He acknowledged that while taxes are often unpopular, meaningful dialogue can help the public accept them.
“The engagement should have started before the passage of the law in Parliament,” he said. “Given our experience with the E-Levy and the promises made by the government, it would have been more prudent to offer some sort of pre-engagement and explanation.”
He said the rationale behind the new levy, expected to help clear a US$3.1bn debt in the energy sector and maintain stable electricity supply, is sound, but cautioned that a lack of consultation could deepen public mistrust.
“The choice of words in the engagement is also very crucial,” he added.
The GH¢1 per litre levy, officially known as the Energy Sector Shortfall and Debt Recovery Levy, is projected to generate GH¢5.7bn annually.
