The Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, has refuted assertions that the GH¢1 Energy Sector Levy introduced by the government will burden Ghanaians by leading to an increase in fuel prices.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on June 3, 2025, John Jinapor assured that the levy will in no way increase the price of fuel products.

He said that the introduction of the levy is a smart move by the government to raise revenue without burdening Ghanaians unduly.

“Members of John Mahama's administration, when we are taking pragmatic steps, smart moves, intellectual moves to address the situation, you want to antagonise us. Please, retreat, retreat, because this will not help you.

“Mr Speaker, let me assure you that, unlike the previous administration, we decided to use extra proceeds to pay for pension funds; we will use these funds judiciously for the energy sector. And I tell you, we are determined to turn this sector around,” he said.

Jinapor added; “Mr Speaker, on this auspicious note, let me make it clear that irrespective of the GH¢1, we are not going to see an increase in the pump price in the petroleum sector. It is only an intelligent government that can do this. It's only a smart government. It's only a government with acumen that can do this.”

He also accused the opposition of misinforming Ghanaians about the levy just to score political points.

“You were in power for 8 years, you messed the economy up, you took it to the IMF. You gave us a haircut, you gave us higher inflation, a higher exchange rate, and when we have taken over and we are turning things around, you want to instigate the people against us. It will not work, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, the people of Ghana know better. And I tell you that we will turn this economy around. I have confidence in President Mahama, and I have confidence in Ato Forson, who is forcing.”

"I tell you that we will turn this economy around. I have confidence in President Mahama, and I have confidence in Ato Forson — who is forcing."
— John Jinapor, Minister for Energy and Green Transition pic.twitter.com/obJXt8tYwp

— DailyGraphic GraphicOnline (@Graphicgh) June 4, 2025

About the Energy Sector Levy:

The Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which imposes a GH¢1 fee on petroleum products, was approved by Parliament on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.

The contentious bill was approved with the goal of generating more money to pay off the country's chronic energy sector debt and guarantee a steady supply of electricity.

The overall debt of the energy sector as of March 2025 is US$3.1 billion, according to Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, who laid the measure under a certificate of urgency.

He added that in order to pay off this debt in full, at least US$3.7 billion will be needed, and an extra US$1.2 billion will be needed to buy the fuel that thermal power plants need to run throughout 2025.

BAI/AE