Some commercial drivers and bus conductors, popularly known as mates, at Anloga Junction in Kumasi, have expressed their frustrations over the newly-amended Energy Sector Levies Act (ESLA), popularly called the D-levy.

In a video that has gone viral on social media, on Thursday June 5, 2025, the transport operators were captured in a heated argument, lamenting the impact of the GHc1 increment.

The drivers threatened to increase transport fares if the government fails to reverse the levy, which they believe will exacerbate the cost of living for both transport operators and passengers.

They also expressed disappointment over a recent reduction in fares, which they say does not reflect the current realities of fuel pricing and operational costs.

“We are not happy with the new levy, they should scrap it,” one of the drivers said angrily.

Their concerns come in the wake of Parliament’s passage of the Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which introduced a GH¢ 1evy on every litre of petroleum products.

The levy is expected to generate approximately GH¢S5.7 billion annually to help address Ghana’s mounting energy sector debt and secure reliable power supply.

The Minister of Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has defended the move, citing the country’s energy sector debt of US$3.1 billion as of March 2025.

He said the country needs at least US$3.7 billion to clear the entire debt, plus an additional US $1.2 billion this year for fuel to power thermal plants.

President John Dramani Mahama has also justified the decision, describing it as a “difficult but necessary” step to stabilise the economy.

Watch the video below:

Some drivers and bus conductors at Anloga Junction in Kumasi react to the new GHS 1 fuel levy.#JoyNews pic.twitter.com/IyLVXxaN5g

— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) June 4, 2025