Economist and Professor of Finance at the University of Ghana, Godfred Bokpin, has urged the government to reconsider its approach to the recently approved Energy Sector Levy, widely dubbed the “Dumsor Levy,” by engaging stakeholders and fostering greater transparency.

Speaking on JoyNews' Newsfile programme on Saturday, 7 June, Prof Bokpin criticised the lack of consultation that preceded the bill’s passage.

“The lack of consultation and all of that takes a lot from this whole discussion, and the government should take a second look at it, and they should learn from that,” he stated.

He expressed surprise at the introduction of the levy, adding that “clearly there was no way one could see this coming from the presentation of the 2025 budget.”

Parliament recently passed the Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, introducing a GH¢1 per litre surcharge on petroleum products.

The government has defended the bill as a necessary measure to address the energy sector’s mounting debt, which stands at US$3.1 billion as of March 2025.

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson explained that at least US$3.7 billion is needed to fully settle this debt, along with an additional US$1.2 billion to procure fuel for thermal power generation in 2025.