The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has revised the implementation of the controversial Energy Sector Shortfall and Debt Repayment Levy following stiff resistance from oil marketing companies.

Originally scheduled to take effect on Monday June 9, the new GHC1-per-litre levy faced rejection from the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC), who raised concerns over its timing and potential impact on fuel prices and consumer burden.

In an interaction with Citi News, the GRA confirmed that after discussions “in the spirit of cordiality and partnership,” a new implementation date of June 16 has been agreed upon.

READ ALSO: GRA to implement GHS1 fuel levy on Monday, June 9

“The Association has concerns with the 9 June implementation date. We have discussed with their leadership in the spirit of cordiality and partnership and have agreed a new start date of 16 June,” the GRA stated.

The levy is part of government measures to settle mounting debts in the energy sector, but industry players argue that they were not adequately consulted and that the rollout risks further destabilising the already volatile downstream petroleum market.

Under the new directive:

• Motor Spirit (Super Petrol): from Ghc0.95 to Ghc1.95
• AGO/Diesel and Marine Gas Oil (Foreign): from Ghc0.93 to Ghc1.93
• Marine Gas Oil (Local): from Ghc0.03 to Ghc0.23
• Heavy Fuel Oil (Residual Fuel Oil – RFO): from Ghc0.04 to Ghc0.24
• Partially Refined Oil (Naphtha): from Ghc0.95 to Ghc1.95
• Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) remains unchanged at Ghc0.73

The new rates apply to all petroleum products not lifted before June 16, 2025.

However, transitional arrangements have been put in place:

1. Products lifted by a Petroleum Product Marketing Company (PPMC) before June 16 will still be subject to the old levy rates.
2. Any “cash-and-carry” transactions by PMMCs, for which products are lifted on or after June 1, 2025, will be subject to the new rates.

Commissioner-General of the GRA, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, signed the directive and urged all ports and fuel stations to strictly comply.

citinewsroom.com

Former Deputy Finance Minister and Member of Parliament for Atiwa East, Abena Osei-Asare, has criticised the recently introduced Energy Sector Levy, arguing that Ghanaians ought to be enjoying the recent appreciation of the cedi rather than being burdened with new taxes.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Monday, 9th June, the MP expressed her disapproval of what she described as the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government’s decision to impose additional financial pressures on the public.

“Why should you refuse or prevent Ghanaians from enjoying a windfall that they ought to enjoy just because you feel there has been a reduction or appreciation in the cedi against its major trading currencies? I should take it off? We told them that managing the economy is not just about talking and shouting,” she said on the show.

Mrs Osei-Asare, who is also the chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, contended that the introduction of the new levy contradicts the principle of easing the cost of living for the ordinary Ghanaian.

She argued that this is not what the NDC promised Ghanaians before the 2024 general elections.

“In your campaign, you told the people of Ghana you were coming to relieve them of the taxes that had been burdening them; you came and all of a sudden you changed,” she argued.

The new Energy Sector Levy imposes an additional GHS1 charge on each litre of petrol and diesel purchased at the pump.

According to the Ministry of Finance, the levy is aimed at addressing longstanding challenges within the energy sector.

Government officials argue that the measure is necessary to stabilise the power sector and ensure the continuity of supply. However, critics, especially the opposition New Patriotic Party, have described it as a regressive tax that places an undue burden on consumers.

myjoyonline.com