Former Vice President and 2024 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has criticized the Mahama administration for introducing a new petroleum levy, which he claims is eight times higher than the now-abolished Electronic Levy (E-levy).
On Tuesday, June 2, Parliament approved a GHC 1 petroleum levy as part of efforts to address the financial challenges in the energy sector. The decision has drawn widespread criticism from opposition parties, civil society organizations, and many ordinary Ghanaians, who view it as an additional burden amid economic hardship.
Speaking during the NPP’s National Thank You Tour in Central Region on Wednesday, June 4, Dr. Bawumia accused the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) of hypocrisy.
He pointed out that while in opposition, the NDC harshly criticized the NPP government, particularly over the E-levy accusing it of overtaxing Ghanaians. Yet, just six months into President Mahama’s return to power, his government has introduced what Dr. Bawumia referred to as a “Dumsor Levy.”
He noted that the petroleum levy is significantly more burdensome than the E-levy, explaining that Ghanaians now pay GHC 1 for every litre of petrol purchased. For example, buying 1,000 litres of fuel now attracts a tax of GHC 83, compared to the GHC 10 paid on a GHC 1,000 mobile money transfer under the E-levy.
Dr. Bawumia warned that more taxes are likely to be introduced under the NDC government.
He emphasized that by 2028, Ghanaians will come to realize that the NDC misled them and will be calling for the return of the NPP.
