Revised GHS1 fuel levy officially kicks off today

The government has officially begun implementing the Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Act, 2025 (Act 1141) today, Wednesday, July 16, 2025, marking the rollout of a revised fuel levy aimed at addressing longstanding shortfalls and debt in Ghana’s energy sector.

The new levy—introduced under the Energy Sector Shortfall and Debt Repayment Levy (ESSDRL)—adds an additional GH¢1 per litre to selected petroleum products, a move the government says is necessary to generate critical revenue for stabilising the energy sector.

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), in a statement dated July 1, confirmed that all arrangements had been finalised ahead of today’s enforcement, following months of consultations and two previous postponements.

The levy had originally been scheduled to take effect on June 9, 2025, but faced strong resistance from stakeholders including the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC), transport unions, and petroleum retailers.

After additional engagements, the rollout was first postponed to June 16 and later suspended indefinitely to allow for further review of global market conditions and stakeholder feedback.

With today’s implementation, the GRA has directed all petroleum stations, ports, customs offices, and relevant institutions to comply fully with the new pricing regime.

Stakeholders such as the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Ghana Link Network Services, the Association of Oil Marketing Companies (AOMCs), and sector commanders have been formally notified to support enforcement.

The government insists that the levy is vital for clearing accumulated debts and ensuring stable operations across the energy sector.

However, many industry actors remain wary of its impact on fuel prices and the ripple effect on transport fares and consumer goods.

Despite the concerns, the government says the new rate structure reflects broader fiscal reforms aimed at protecting the energy sector from collapse and securing long-term sustainability.

Below is the revised version.