Gov't Rejects Calls to Scrap GH¢1 Fuel Levy | Discuss Ghana

On Monday, March 23, 2026, the Office of the Vice President officially responded to the Minority in Parliament’s demands to abolish the GH¢1 fuel levy, insisting that the government remains focused on long-term economic stability and citizen welfare.

Ama Pratt, Press Secretary to Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, defended the current pricing regime, arguing that despite the "global energy crisis" triggered by the U.S.–Israel–Iran war, Ghanaians are still paying significantly less for fuel than under previous high-inflation periods.

---

The Government's Defense

The Presidency's response highlights a "strategic necessity" for maintaining the levy:

Legacy Debt Clearance: The government maintains that while $1.47 billion was paid in 2025 to settle energy sector debts, the GH¢1 levy—introduced under the Energy Sector Levy Amendment Act of 2025—is still required to prevent the re-emergence of liquid fuel procurement shortfalls.

Global Context: Ama Pratt emphasized that international crude prices have surged toward $120 per barrel due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, yet the government has managed to keep domestic petrol prices below GH¢13 in many regions through strategic reserves.

Citizen Welfare: "We remain committed to the welfare and well-being of citizens. Scrapping a vital revenue stream during a global war would be reckless and would eventually lead to fuel shortages," Pratt stated.

---

The Minority's "Punishment" Claim

The response follows a heated press conference by the Minority's Deputy Ranking Member on Energy, Collins Adomako Mensah, who described the levy as "punishment, not policy":

"Outlived Relevance": The Minority argues that since the $1.47 billion debt was cleared in 2025, there is no moral or fiscal justification for the GH¢1 charge.

Price Hike Warning: With diesel already hitting GH¢15.60 and petrol at GH¢12.40 in the second window of March, the Minority warned that fuel could reach GH¢17 by April if the levy isn't repealed under a certificate of urgency.

Cost of Living: The opposition contends that the levy is a major driver of the current high cost of living and transport fares, which they say the "National Reset" has failed to address.

---

Fuel Price Snapshot (March 2026)

Product	Price Floor (NPA)	Current Pump Average
Petrol	GH¢11.57	GH¢12.40 – GH¢14.32
Diesel	GH¢14.35	GH¢15.60 – GH¢16.10
LPG	GH¢10.67/kg	GH¢15.91/kg

"The justification for this levy no longer exists. Keeping it is not policy, it is punishment." — Collins Adomako Mensah, Minority Deputy Ranking Member.