Not all taxes are the same, and Ghanaians have every right to question them. When the Hɛn Pɛɛ Pɛɛ introduced the E-Levy, it was met with anger and confusion.
People didn’t just reject it because it charged mobile money and bank transfers—they rejected it because the government didn’t explain it properly, didn’t engage the public, and after collecting the money, they couldn’t clearly show where it went.
The E-Levy felt unfair. It taxed ordinary people on small daily transactions and ended up discouraging mobile money use. Worse, many asked: “What did we really get from it?” There were no visible improvements, no detailed reports, and revenue targets were missed. It ended up feeling like a burden without benefit.
Now, the NDC has introduced the Energy Sector Levy Amendment Bill. Yes, it proposes a tax on petroleum products—but this time, the purpose is clear. Ghana owes $3.1 billion in energy debts. These are not imaginary figures.
They’re unpaid bills to power producers and fuel suppliers. If they’re not paid, the country risks going back to severe power shortages.
What makes this different is how the Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has gone about it. He didn’t hide the bill.
He stood before Parliament and told Ghanaians directly what the levy is for, how serious the energy sector’s crisis is, and how this move can prevent another power crisis. That level of honesty and openness is exactly what citizens deserve. It builds trust and shows that this isn’t about politics—it’s about saving the country’s energy system.
The Minister also assured everyone that fuel prices won’t shoot up immediately because the cedi is strong enough to help cushion the effect.
This new levy is nothing like the E-Levy. The NDC hasn’t hidden the reason behind it. They’ve come clean about the problem and the solution. And more importantly, they’re giving Ghanaians the chance to understand and support the process.
Sometimes, solving big national problems means everyone contributing a little—but only when there’s trust, clarity, and accountability. That’s the difference this time.
Credit: Jibriel Jagbesie
