Prepare for worst under the Mahama – Bawumia

Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has urged Ghanaians to brace themselves for more harsh taxes under the Mahama-led government.

He accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of deceiving Ghanaians to win power by promising not to impose more taxes, only to introduce a new fuel levy just six months into office.

Speaking during his thank-you tour in the Central Region, Dr. Bawumia said, “They have brought something called Dumsor Levy; this is eight times the E-Levy. If you buy fuel worth GHC1,000, you will pay GHC83 as Dumsor Levy. Just prepare, there is more to come.”

The Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, passed by Parliament on June 3 under a certificate of urgency, introduced a GHC1 per litre levy on petroleum products to raise about GHC5.7 billion annually.

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson explained that Ghana’s energy sector debt stood at US$3.1 billion as of March 2025, with US$3.7 billion needed to clear it and US$1.2 billion required for fuel purchases.

He assured that the strong performance of the Ghana Cedi would absorb the impact of the levy at the pump, avoiding immediate price hikes.

However, the levy has faced criticism.

Former Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam said in Parliament, “Not long ago, they were here celebrating tax abolishment, but all those taxes combined didn’t bring GHC5 billion. This one levy alone will raise GHC5.7 billion.”

The Karaga MP added, “They give with the left hand and take with the right — even what’s in your pocket.”

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin also slammed the government, saying, “You said in your budget there would be no new taxes. Now you repeal E-Levy and bring it back in a different form. You can’t deceive Ghanaians.”