By Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The Executive Secretary of the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC), Mr. Duncan Amoah, together with executives of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), is demanding clarity and firm timelines regarding the recently announced GH¢1 levy on petroleum products.
The government recently introduced a GH¢1 levy on every litre of petroleum products, excluding Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), set to take effect on July 16, 2025. According to officials, the levy is intended to help offset Ghana’s mounting energy sector debt.
Although government representatives have provided explanations through various media outlets, both COPEC and GPRTU insist that more transparency is needed, particularly regarding how long the levy will remain in place and how the funds will be used.
The groups have also warned against making the levy a permanent fixture, stressing that such measures must be clearly time-bound.
While the GPRTU initially opposed the levy, it has since softened its stance after holding talks with key stakeholders.
Speaking in an interview on Citi FM, the GPRTU’s Industrial Relations Officer, Mr. Abass Imoro, urged the government not to turn the new levy into a long-term burden.
“We are still saying it is a little better than where we were, so let’s move forward and see. We are working and want to make sure we’re making a profit from our operations. If we reach a point where we see no profit, we’ll take the necessary steps to secure our interests,” Imoro said.
He added: “We also plead with those in authority to make sure they come out with a timeline, whether we are taking this fuel levy for six months or one year, whatever they think will sustain the sector for as long as possible.”
On his part, COPEC Executive Secretary Duncan Amoah insisted that the levy must be time-bound and the revenue properly accounted for.
“This new GH¢1 levy should not be treated like the old taxes that have remained part of the price build-up indefinitely.
Whatever can be done in the short to medium term to achieve full cost recovery for the energy sector must be pursued. Eventually, the power sector should be deregulated just like the petroleum sector,” he said.
Mr. Amoah argued that deregulation and proper use of the levy would help the sector become self-sustaining without burdening transport operators such as trotro and taxi drivers.
