The newly introduced GHC1.00 levy on petroleum products, popularly referred to as the “Dumsor Levy,” has received opposition from the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU).

The union has threatened a nationwide strike on Tuesday, June 10, if the policy is not revised.

In a press briefing on Thursday, June 5, the Industrial Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Abass Ibrahim Imoro, indicated that the government has yet to consult relevant stakeholders over the policy's implementation.

“We are therefore calling on the government to reverse the levy immediately and engage us and stakeholders on the way forward. In the event that our call is not heeded, we will be compelled to take industrial action and park our vehicles on June 10, 2025.

The policy's rollout will have significant implications for operators, as it will drive up operational costs.

"We urge the government to consider the impact of the levy on the transport sector and the consequences of our action on the economy, and engage us in meaningful deliberations to help address challenges in the energy sector,” he said.

Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has assured Ghanaians that funds generated from the newly approved GHC1 fuel levy will undergo regular audits.

He explained the move is to ensure accountability and transparency.

"Funds from this levy will not be subject to the hazards of the Consolidated Fund. The fund will be regularly audited and audit reports made public to ensure its transparent use."

He has reiterated the government's decision to clear the accumulated legacy debts in the power sector with part of the revenue generated, yet to be implemented, levy.

He stated that "initially much of this revenue will go to the purchasing of fuel to ensure stable power of electricity."

Government will also reduce the use of liquid fuel in the energy mix as it expects more gas from the ENI, Sankofa, Jubilee and TEN fields, as well as West African Gas Pipeline.

"At that stage, the resources generated by this increased levy will be channeled to pay accumulated legacy debts in the power sector," he added.

Government is set to implement the Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which introduces a GH¢1.00 petroleum levy, following approval by Parliament on Tuesday, June 3.

The Majority side of the House approved the bill after the Minority side staged a walkout.

Energy and Green Transition Minister, John Abdulai Jinapor, has defended government's move despite opposition from some stakeholders in the energy sector.

He noted that the timing of the introduction of the levy is apt as the cedi continues to appreciate against major trading currencies.

The minister projects to generate revenue ranging between GH¢5 billion and GH¢6 billion to support the procurement of liquid fuel.

"Fuel was around GH¢16.00, and a sensitive government will not slap a tax when fuel is GH¢16.00. You couldn't have imposed that tax around that time when fuel was still very high, and so you needed to work to bring fuel down to this level and share the gain with Ghanaians. At that time, if we had increased it, you can imagine the impact on Ghanaians, but today, the net effect is that you are still having a reduction of GH¢3.00 on a litre of fuel," he explained.

"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 of the value of the dollar," he said while speaking on JoyFM.

Some stakeholders in the energy sector have expressed their displeasure over the approval of the Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, by Parliament and its pending implementation.

On the matter, Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Oil Marketing Companies (AOMCs), Dr Riverson Oppong Peprah,warned that the implementation of the levy could drive fuel prices higher, adding further strain on consumers and the downstream sector.

“When fuel prices began to fall, it wasn’t because the cedi gained stability; rather, it was due to a drop in plant prices caused by the decline in West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices. Only after that did the cedi stabilise and support the downward trend."

"As we speak today, plant prices are already rising again. So, I urge the government to reconsider this levy since there are other options," he counselled.

Also, Executive Director of the Centre for Environment and Sustainable Energy, Benjamin Nsiah has raised similar concerns, calling the introduction of the levy "unfair."

“This approach is not only tired but unfair,” Nsiah said. “We’ve seen this playbook before. The Energy Sector Levies Act (ESLA), and the Energy Sector Recovery Levy have provided a lasting solution to the underlying issues. It’s not about collecting more. It’s about managing what’s already collected.”