This Is 8 Times More Than E-Levy: Bawumia Reacts To Fuel Levy

Former Vice President and 2024 NPP flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has lashed out at the GH¢1 per litre petroleum tax introduced by the Mahama-led NDC administration, describing it as eight times more burdensome than the controversial E-Levy introduced under the former NPP government.

Dr. Bawumia made the comments during a thank-you tour of the Central Region, where he addressed party supporters and local stakeholders.

“With the new GH¢1 tax on petroleum products, if you buy fuel worth GH¢1,000, you are paying GH¢83 in taxes,” Dr. Bawumia stated. “But under the E-Levy, you only paid GH¢10 on the same GH¢1,000.”

NDC Passes Tax Despite NPP Walkout

The former Vice President's remarks follow Parliament’s approval of the new petroleum tax on Tuesday, June 3. The bill was passed under a certificate of urgency, with the minority NPP MPs staging a walkout in protest. This allowed the majority NDC MPs to pass the bill unopposed.

Also Read: All You Need to Know About Ghana’s New Fuel Levy: Critics Call It the “D-Levy”

Government Justifies New Tax

According to the Mahama administration, the tax is part of measures to stabilize the energy sector, address rising energy debts, and support critical infrastructure improvements in the power supply chain.

The Ministry of Energy issued a statement defending the levy, saying the funds would “address persistent load management and stabilize power delivery across Ghana.”

Political Repercussions

Dr. Bawumia’s critique reflects growing tension between the two major parties over economic policy and taxation in the post-election period. His remarks aim to paint the NDC’s economic measures as more harmful to ordinary Ghanaians than the NPP’s controversial digital tax initiatives.

The comparison between the E-Levy and the fuel tax is expected to fuel political debate as Ghanaians weigh the impact of rising fuel costs on their daily lives.