Energy Analyst, Kwadwo Poku, has accused the government of misleading Ghanaians over the true cost of the recently approved petroleum levy, stating that the actual figure is GH¢2.00 per litre, not the GH¢1.00 that has been publicly communicated.

Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show, Mr Poku explained that the combined impact of existing and new levies adds up to almost GH¢2.00 on each litre of petrol and diesel.

“The government is collecting GH¢2, not GH¢1. According to the budget, they had already introduced 95 pesewas. With this new addition, the total levy is ¢1.95 on petrol and ¢1.93 on diesel,” he said.

He cautioned that this increase could result in the government raising over one billion dollars annually from petroleum taxes alone, further deepening the financial burden on consumers.

“You want Ghanaians to pay an extra one billion cedis every year through petroleum taxes, yet we are already burdened with high electricity bills,” Mr Poku lamented.

The energy analyst also took aim at the Ministry of Finance, criticising what he described as poor fiscal planning and unrealistic budgetary assumptions.

“There appears to be a problem at the Ministry of Finance. When the Minister read the budget, he clearly knew the projections were based on an exchange rate of 15.4. Now, with a 30% revenue shortfall, the government is scrambling for cash.”

Mr Poku further questioned the Certificate of Urgency used to push the levy through Parliament, claiming it had nothing to do with addressing energy sector concerns.

“This has nothing to do with the energy sector. It is simply the government taxing Ghanaians to fund its budget. We must not allow this to be framed as an energy-sector conversation,” he argued.

The government’s imposition of the levy has elicited mixed reactions from civil society, industry experts, and the general public, many of whom are already grappling with high living costs and increased utility tariffs.

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