Dumsor Levy U-turn: You are hypocrites – Afenyo-Markin ‘attacks’ NDC
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has strongly criticised the Mahama-led administration over its indefinite suspension of the controversial Energy Sector Levy, also known as the ‘Dumsor Levy’, describing the move as a sign of hypocrisy, confusion, and incompetence.
According to the Effutu MP, the government’s decision to backtrack on the levy just days before its implementation is a “shameful retreat” that reveals what he calls the “intellectual dishonesty” of the current administration.
“Just months ago, they were shouting from every rooftop that our administration was using COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war as excuses. Now they are in power and using the Middle East crisis to justify crude oil volatility? That is the height of hypocrisy,” he stated.
Mr Afenyo-Markin said the hasty nature of the suspension shows the government had no clear plan in place and failed to engage stakeholders properly before rushing to pass the law.
“This eleventh-hour postponement shows they had no plan. No stakeholder consultation. Just trial and error. How do you pass a levy and cancel its implementation a few days before it kicks in?” he questioned.
He further accused the ruling NDC of betraying their campaign promises by attempting to introduce what he described as punitive energy taxes, despite pledging to bring relief and avoid new taxes.
“They promised relief. They promised no new taxes. Now, here they are introducing punitive energy taxes, and then suspending them when Ghanaians push back. That is not leadership. That is panic,” he added.
The Minority Leader warned that the government should not attempt to blame the ongoing power crisis on the absence of the levy.
“We will not allow them to blame the current power crisis on the absence of this levy. Akufo-Addo kept the lights on without taxing Ghanaians into hardship. They cannot use their failed tax as a scapegoat.”
Responding to the government’s argument that the levy is needed to settle energy sector debts, Afenyo-Markin said such justifications are “hollow” and lack merit.
“They claim they need it to pay energy sector debts. But under Akufo-Addo, we managed the power sector responsibly without burdening people. We didn’t hide behind crises. We planned and executed.”
He called for Parliament to be recalled immediately to repeal the Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Act, 2025 under a certificate of urgency.
“Postponing it is not enough. This levy must go. Ghanaians deserve better.”
He also issued a warning that the Minority would resist any future attempts to revive the tax.
“We are ready to stand with Ghanaians. Any attempt to revive this levy will be rejected. Completely.”
Mr Afenyo-Markin then shifted focus to broader issues within the energy sector, calling for urgent reforms, especially at the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), where he says serious operational failures are affecting citizens.
“What is happening at ECG is a disgrace. Expired meters are still running. People are using power without paying because the systems are broken. That is not the fault of the people. That is a failure of governance.”
He noted that the Loss Reduction Programme initiated under the previous administration has stalled under the current government, further worsening the power supply situation.
“Communities are crying for prepaid meters. The companies are there. The contracts exist. What is the delay? The Minister must bring the full policy documents to Parliament. Now.”
Finally, the Minority Leader accused the current government of being disconnected from the daily struggles of ordinary Ghanaians.
“They are out of touch. Ghanaians are suffering. And instead of easing the pressure, they are finding creative ways to tax them. That is not what they promised.”
Mr Afenyo-Markin ended with a strong message:
“Any response short of total repeal is unacceptable. Not just to us in the Minority, but to the people of Ghana.”