Akosua Manu, NPP’s 2024 parliamentary candidate for Adentan, has called on the government to scrap the controversial Dumsor Levy entirely, describing its introduction as “embarrassing”.

Speaking on Metro TV on Monday, 16 June, she expressed dismay at the burden the fuel surcharge would have placed on Ghanaians.

Madam Manu emphasised that the levy was unnecessary and poorly timed, especially in light of rising living costs.

“Its passage was embarrassing,” she said. The government had maintained that the revenue would help stabilise the power sector and service legacy debts.

However, opposition figures and analysts labelled the surcharge, set at GH¢1 per litre of fuel, as economically reckless amid current hardships

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Madam Manu welcomed the Ghana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) decision to suspend the levy, which had been scheduled to take effect on 16 June.

“The suspension isn't a positive step, but what we need now is complete repeal,” she insisted.

Critics argue that the government’s rationale, citing global oil volatility from the Middle East crisis, reveals poor preparation and a lack of stakeholder consultation.

She urged the government to uphold its campaign promise of easing the financial burden on citizens rather than introducing new taxes.

With plans to abandon the levy, Ghana now faces an opportunity to explore alternative means of resolving power sector challenges without imposing additional costs on households and businesses.