Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has presented the Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, to Parliament, proposing a GH¢1 tax per litre on petroleum products to combat persistent power outages and service energy sector debts.
The Government of Ghana has taken a bold fiscal step to address the country’s long-standing energy supply challenges by introducing the Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
The Bill, presented to Parliament by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, seeks to increase the levy on petroleum products from 20 pesewas to GH¢1 per litre.
Laid before the House under a certificate of urgency, the amendment aims to generate critical funds to settle mounting debts within the energy sector and procure fuel for thermal power plants, key to resolving the erratic electricity supply, widely referred to as “dumsor.”
“The levy adjustment is a necessary intervention to ensure energy security and avoid further economic disruption caused by power shortages,” Dr. Forson said while addressing Parliament.
The proposed hike has already sparked debate, with critics warning it could further burden consumers already grappling with rising living costs.
However, government officials insist that the long-term benefits of stabilizing the power supply outweigh the immediate financial impact on consumers.
If approved, the new levy will affect the prices of petrol, diesel, and other petroleum products across the country, with implementation expected to take effect by the next fiscal quarter.
The Bill is currently under consideration by the Parliamentary Committee on Finance and Energy, with stakeholders from the energy and transport sectors expected to weigh in during deliberations.
Story Written By Bernard Quaye | Kobby Kyei News
