Former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has criticised the NDC government for introducing a new tax after campaigning against E-levy and eventually scrapping it, calling on Ghanaians to brace themselves for more taxes.

Speaking in Cape Coast at the end of his nationwide 'Thank You Tour' in the Central Region, he accused the NDC of campaigning on deceptive promises and acting contrary to what they told Ghanaians during the 2024 election.

“The NDC has told a lot of lies. Everyone sees their lies every day. Last night, I hope you all saw it. They have introduced a dumsor Levy."

According to him, the newly introduced levy on fuel is far more costly than the scrapped e-levy.

“Initially, they said they would scrap the E-Levy we had introduced, and they’ve done that. But now, they have introduced the Dumsor Levy, and it is eight times the E-Levy. Now, when you buy one litre of petrol, you will pay one cedi as tax,” he said.

Dr. Bawumia compared the two levies to demonstrate the heavier burden of the new tax. “If you buy 1,000 cedis worth of fuel, you will pay 83 cedis as tax. With the E-Levy, if you sent 1,000 cedis to someone, you would only pay 10 cedis. But under them, for 1,000 cedis worth of fuel, you’ll pay 83 cedis.”

He also warned Ghanaians to expect even more taxes under the current administration. “And more is yet to come. By the time we get to 2028, Ghanaians will see that they have truly lied to us,” he said.

Dr. Bawumia expressed confidence that Ghanaians would eventually call on the NPP to return to power. “I believe that by then, they will ask us to come back and govern Ghana properly," he added.

The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, has defended the newly approved GH¢1.00 petroleum levy, stating that this is the right time to impose it, as it is a prudent fiscal intervention necessary to stabilise the country's energy sector.

Speaking in an interview on Joy FM's SMS on Wednesday, June 4, Mr Jinapor explained that the government refrained from introducing the levy when it assumed office due to the high cost of petroleum products at the time.

Read Also: This is the right time to impose Gh¢1.00 fuel levy – John Jinapor