The Member of Parliament for Atiwa East, Abena Osei-Asare, says Ghanaians will be unable to enjoy the recent gains in the cedi due to the Energy Sector (Amendment) Act, 2025.
The bill, passed under a certificate of urgency on Tuesday, June 3, introduces a GHS1 levy on every litre of fuel purchased.
Its implementation, initially scheduled for today, Monday, June 9, has been postponed to June 16, as government plans to engage stakeholders protesting against it.
Reacting to the development on Accra-based Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Monday, the former Deputy Minister of Finance said the ruling National Democratic Congress, while in opposition, thought managing the economy was easy.
“Why should you refuse or prevent Ghanaians from enjoying a windfall that they ought to enjoy, just because you feel there has been a reduction or appreciation in the cedi against its major trading currencies? I should take it off?
“We told them that managing the economy is not just about talking and shouting,” she said.
She further criticised the John Mahama-led NDC government, which in opposition condemned the imposition of taxes and promised to scrap them, for making a sudden U-turn.
“In your campaign, you told the people of Ghana you were coming to relieve them of the taxes that had been burdening them. You came, and all of a sudden, you changed,” she noted.
Meanwhile, the recent gains in the cedi against major foreign currencies such as the United States dollar have led to a reduction in fuel prices at the pumps of several oil marketing companies.
