Dennis Miracles Aboagye, an aide to former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has fiercely criticised the recently passed Dumsor levy, describing it as a betrayal of public trust.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile programme on Saturday, 7 June, Aboagye launched a scathing attack on the Mahama administration for imposing what he called an unjust and burdensome tax on Ghanaians.

“It is a betrayal of trust,” he stated. “The situation we find ourselves in is simply a clueless, everlasting incompetent bunch of arrogant braggarts who have simply scammed their way into government.”

His comments reflect the growing frustration among segments of the public and political opposition over the Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025.

The newly approved legislation imposes a GH¢1 per litre surcharge on petroleum products to raise revenue to tackle Ghana’s ballooning energy sector debt.

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, who presented the bill under a certificate of urgency, revealed that the sector’s total indebtedness stood at US$3.1 billion as of March 2025.

He argued that an estimated US$3.7 billion is required to settle the debt, with a further US$1.2 billion needed to secure fuel for thermal power generation.

However, the Minority in Parliament has denounced the bill as a “predatory tax,” claiming it will extract GH¢5.7 billion annually from already burdened households and businesses.

They have demanded transparency and broader stakeholder consultation, warning that the hurried passage of the levy raises concerns about accountability and financial mismanagement.