The Ministry of Energy has confirmed that a new GH₵1 ($0.07) fuel levy will take effect on Wednesday, July 16, as part of a broader government initiative to address structural deficits and growing financial imbalances in the country’s power sector.
Speaking in an interview on Joy FM on Friday, ministry spokesperson Richmond Rockson said the levy is aimed at restoring operational stability and ensuring long-term energy security. "We will start on Monday, July 16," Rockson stated, adding that the country’s energy infrastructure was saddled with debt and inefficiencies inherited by the current administration.
“This government inherited a very difficult energy sector—not just the power side, but petroleum, upstream and downstream—and it will take collective sacrifice to restore the system,” Mr. Rockson said.
The new levy, first announced months ago, has triggered public backlash amid rising inflation and cost-of-living concerns. Critics, including opposition lawmakers and civil society groups, argue that the surcharge will further strain household finances.
Despite the opposition, the Energy Ministry maintains that the measure is essential for stabilizing the sector, which has been plagued by liquidity challenges, unreliable supply chains, and mounting debts to independent power producers. The Ghana Revenue Authority has been authorized to administer the levy.
Ghana has struggled in recent years to meet its energy demands, with frequent power cuts and fiscal stress placing pressure on the government to implement reforms. The fuel levy is part of a suite of fiscal policies intended to prevent further deterioration of the sector and attract private investment.
