The Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has slammed the John Dramani Mahama-led government over the newly-amended Energy Sector Levies Act (ESLA), tagged as D-levy.

He described the increase of the GH¢1 on the ESLA as a nuisance, arguing that it will exponentially impact the cost of living of ordinary Ghanaians.

In a lengthy post on his X account on June 5, 2025, Ahiagbah termed the amendment, which has courted public debates, as far worse than the E-levy, which was introduced by the previous government.

“The NDC-Mahama government has introduced a new levy that is worse than the E-Levy, better known as the Energy Sector 'Dumsor' Levy, purportedly to stabilise the power supply,” he stated.

He particularly demanded answers from President John Dramani Mahama on the controversial tax amendment, arguing that it is tantamount to a punishment of citizens.

“What have we done to deserve this abuse by President John Dramani Mahama and the NDC? This Dumsor levy will be paid by every Ghanaian; it doesn't matter what your station in life is. Even babies in the womb will be impacted if this Dumsor levy becomes operational,” he said.

Some stakeholders in the energy sector and politicians have opposed the move, with some of them calling for a downward review of the increase in the Energy Sector Levy, currently pegged at GH¢1.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, has mounted a strong defence for the D-Levy, stating that it has become necessary to ensure seamless power distribution to all Ghanaians.

Read Ahiagbah's full post below:

The NDC-Mahama government has introduced a new levy that is worse than the E-levy, better known as the Energy Sector 'Dumsor' Levy, purportedly to stabilize the power supply.

This is not what the NDC-Mahama 2024 campaign promised Ghanaians. They promised to scrap taxes and not…

— Richard Ahiagbah (@RAahiagbah) June 4, 2025