Deputy Government Spokesperson Shamima Muslim has called on Ghanaians to support the newly introduced fuel levy, which she says is critical to sustaining the country’s power supply and driving energy security.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Shamima highlighted recent economic improvements—including a strengthening Ghanaian cedi and falling fuel prices—but emphasized that more must be done to keep the country’s lights on.
“Cedi is appreciating, inflation reducing, fuel prices reducing… but we need money to buy more liquid fuels—which are cheaper now—to power our generation plants for sustainable power supply,” she wrote. “Only 1 cedi per litre & together we will reset.”
Her remarks come just hours after Parliament passed the controversial fuel levy bill at dawn on June 4. The bill, introduced under a certificate of urgency by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, imposes a GHC 1 per litre levy on petroleum products. The minority caucus staged a walkout prior to the bill’s passage, protesting what they described as “insensitive” timing.
Dr. Forson defended the move, pointing out that the energy sector’s debt had ballooned to $3.1 billion as of March 2025. He assured lawmakers that the impact of the levy on fuel prices at the pump would be neutralized by the recent gains in the cedi’s value.
“Consumers will not feel an immediate increase in fuel costs,” Dr. Forson stated. “The exchange rate gains will absorb the levy’s effect.”
Despite political pushback, the government insists the levy is vital for maintaining a stable electricity supply, particularly as liquid fuels—now more affordable—are needed to power thermal generation plants.
As public reaction begins to unfold, Shamima Muslim’s call aims to rally national support around the measure, portraying it not as an additional burden, but as a patriotic contribution toward sustainable energy and economic resilience.
