Ex-Vice President Bawumia Slams Ghanaian Government For Introducing New Petroleum Levy

A former Vice President of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has slammed the Ghanaian government for introducing a new petroleum levy.

According to Dr. Bawumia, the newly introduced petroleum levy is eight times higher than the now-abolished Electronic Levy (E-levy) introduced by the erstwhile former President Nana Akufo-Addo led New Patriotic Party (NPP) government in which he served as Vice President.

As earlier reported, on
Tuesday, June 2, the Parliament of Ghana approved a Ghc 1 petroleum levy as part of efforts to address the financial challenges in Ghana’s energy sector.

The introduction of the petroleum levy has drawn widespread criticism from opposition parties, civil society organizations, and many ordinary Ghanaians, who view it as an additional burden amid economic hardship.

Speaking during the NPP’s National Thank You Tour in the Central Region of Ghana on Wednesday, June 4, Dr. Bawumia accused the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of hypocrisy.

He recounted that while in opposition, the NDC harshly criticized the NPP government, particularly over the E-levy, accusing it of overtaxing Ghanaians.

Yet, he said just six months into President Mahama’s return to power, his government has introduced what he [Dr. Bawumia] referred to as a “Dumsor Levy.” Dumsor means erratic electricity supply in Ghana.

Dr. Bawumia bemoans that the petroleum levy is significantly more burdensome than the E-levy, explaining that Ghanaians now pay GHC 1 for every litre of petrol purchased. For example, buying 1,000 litres of fuel now attracts a tax of GHC 83, compared to the GHC 10 paid on a GHC 1,000 mobile money transfer under the E-levy.

According to the former Vice President, more taxes are likely to be introduced under the NDC government.

Source: Africa Publicity