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.
According to him, at the time, fuel prices were hovering around GH¢16.00 per litre, a level deemed too burdensome for consumers to absorb additional charges.
However, he noted that recent interventions by the government have led to a reduction in fuel prices to approximately GH¢13.00 per litre, creating what he said was a reasonable window to introduce the levy. "Fuel was around GH¢16.00, and a sensitive government will not slap a tax when fuel is GH¢16.00.
