Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has slammed the Mahama-led administration for what he describes as a “shameful retreat” on the controversial Energy Sector Levy, popularly referred to as the Dumsor Levy.
The Effutu MP said the indefinite suspension of the levy exposes the hypocrisy, confusion, and incompetence of the current government.
Speaking on the issue, Afenyo-Markin said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) had shown “intellectual dishonesty” by justifying the levy’s suspension with global oil market instability triggered by the Middle East crisis.
“Just months ago, they were shouting from every rooftop that our administration was using COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war as excuses. Now they are in power and using the Middle East crisis to justify crude oil volatility? That is the height of hypocrisy,” he said.
The Minority Leader described the policy shift as proof of the NDC’s lack of foresight and failure to engage stakeholders.
“This eleventh-hour postponement shows they had no plan. No stakeholder consultation. Just trial and error. How do you pass a levy and cancel its implementation a few days before it kicks in?” he questioned.
Afenyo-Markin also accused the government of violating campaign promises by attempting to introduce new energy taxes under the guise of debt management.
“They promised relief. They promised no new taxes. Now, here they are introducing punitive energy taxes, and then suspending them when Ghanaians push back. That is not leadership. That is panic,” he added.
He further warned the government against blaming the current power challenges on the suspended levy. “We will not allow them to blame the current power crisis on the absence of this levy. Akufo-Addo kept the lights on without taxing Ghanaians into hardship. They cannot use their failed tax as a scapegoat.”
The Minority Leader insisted that the Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Act, 2025 should be repealed immediately under a certificate of urgency, stressing that postponement alone is not enough.“Postponing it is not enough. This levy must go. Ghanaians deserve better.”
Afenyo-Markin also pledged that the Minority would strongly resist any future attempts to reintroduce the tax. “We are ready to stand with Ghanaians. Any attempt to revive this levy will be rejected. Completely.”
Turning his attention to ongoing challenges in the energy sector, the Effutu MP criticized the state of affairs at the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
“What is happening at ECG is a disgrace. Expired meters are still running. People are using power without paying because the systems are broken. That is not the fault of the people. That is a failure of governance.”
He revealed that the Loss Reduction Programme, initiated under the previous administration, had stalled, and called for immediate delivery of policy documents to Parliament.
“Communities are crying for prepaid meters. The companies are there. The contracts exist. What is the delay? The Minister must bring the full policy documents to Parliament. Now.”
Afenyo-Markin concluded by accusing the government of losing touch with ordinary Ghanaians. “They are out of touch. Ghanaians are suffering. And instead of easing the pressure, they are finding creative ways to tax them. That is not what they promised.”
He ended with a final warning: “Any response short of total repeal is unacceptable. Not just to us in the Minority, but to the people of Ghana.”
