Credit: Kekeli K. Blamey
Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, National Coordinator of the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), is urging Ghanaians to support the newly introduced GHS1 fuel levy, warning that rejecting it could result in a 50% hike in electricity tariffs.
He described the levy as a necessary step to raise funds for stabilising the country’s power supply, without directly increasing electricity prices for consumers.
“This levy is a solution to a problem we’ve created. Without it, we’re looking at a 50% increase in electricity tariffs,” Vanderpuye said. “Would you rather pay more for electricity or contribute just GHS1 to help fix the issue?”
The GHS1 per litre fuel charge, introduced under the Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was approved by Parliament on June 3. The government hopes to raise about GHS5.7 billion from the levy to settle debts in the energy sector and secure fuel for thermal power plants.
According to Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the sector currently faces a $3.1 billion debt, with another $3.7 billion needed to clear arrears, plus $1.2 billion for fuel supplies in 2025.
Vanderpuye stressed that the levy is a preventive measure to avoid the return of “dumsor”—the power outages that once crippled homes and businesses.
“It’s either we increase tariffs or introduce taxes,” he said. “This levy gives us a way to raise revenue without pushing electricity prices up.”
