The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, has defended the government’s decision to introduce a GH¢1.00 petroleum levy, describing it as a strategic and timely fiscal measure aimed at stabilising the country’s energy sector.
Speaking on Joy FM on Wednesday, June 4, Mr Jinapor explained that the levy, which was approved by Parliament just a day earlier, could not have been implemented earlier due to high fuel prices at the time the current administration took office.
“When we assumed office, fuel prices were around GH¢16.00 per litre. A sensitive government would not impose a levy at such a time,” he said. “We waited until conditions improved. Today, fuel is about GH¢13.00 per litre. That GH¢3.00 reduction creates room to share the gain with Ghanaians through this new levy.”
According to the minister, the reduction in global fuel prices, coupled with the cedi’s relative stability against the US dollar, has improved consumer purchasing power — making this the “right moment” to implement the levy without imposing excessive hardship.
“It is better to do it today than to have done it yesterday when it would have eroded your income. Today, your purchasing power has increased because of the reduction in the value of the dollar,” Mr Jinapor added.
The newly introduced fuel levy is already drawing criticism from opposition Members of Parliament, particularly from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who argue that it adds to the cost of living pressures faced by ordinary Ghanaians.
