The Institute of Climate and Environmental Governance (ICEG) has issued a scathing rejection of the Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, calling on Parliament to dismiss what it describes as a "regressive, unjust, and deeply unfair" proposal to impose a GH¢1 levy on every litre of petroleum product purchased.
In a statement released on Tuesday, June 4, ICEG expressed deep displeasure over the bill, which is currently before Parliament under a certificate of urgency.
The bill aims to raise additional revenue to help settle Ghana's energy sector debt and improve power supply.
But ICEG believes this measure unfairly burdens ordinary Ghanaians already struggling under a 14.75% hike in electricity tariffs. "This move is unjust and deeply unfair to Ghanaians," said Kwesi Yamoah Abaidoo, Policy Lead for Climate Finance and Energy Transition at ICEG. "While it is a good initiative to service our debts for energy sustainability purposes, it should not come at the expense of citizens." ICEG argues that the energy sector's challenges - such as bad power purchase deals, mismanagement, and heavy subsidies - stem from poor leadership, not the average Ghanaian. "The levy directly translates into higher fuel prices, which inversely affect transportation, food prices, and inflation," Abaidoo warned. "This will only worsen poverty and deepen inequality, especially among low-income households." The organization is instead calling for a total rethink of how Ghana addresses its energy woes.
