By Elsie Appiah-Osei
Accra, June 16, GNA- The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority Caucus in Parliament has criticized the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government’s decision to indefinitely postpone the implementation of the Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Act, 2025, popularly known as the Dumsor Levy.
According to a statement signed by Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader, and issued to the Ghana News Agency said, “this move is a clear indication of the government’s fundamental incompetence and hypocrisy,” it said.
The Dumsor Levy, passed by Parliament under a Certificate of Urgency, was to raise funds to cover energy sector deficits and pay down debts.
However, the Minority Caucus argued that the levy would have imposed additional financial strain on citizens already grappling with economic hardship.
The NPP Caucus maintained that the previous administration successfully maintained a stable power supply without such taxes, highlighting the current government’s alleged incompetence in managing the energy sector.
As a result, the statement has demanded the immediate repeal of the Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Act, 2025.
“We call upon the government to table a repeal bill under a certificate of urgency,” it said.
Further, the statement has also called on the Minister for Energy and Green Transition to present policy documents related to the Loss Reduction Programme for parliamentary scrutiny. “This postponement exposes a government unprepared and unwilling to consult stakeholders before rushing into legislation stated.
“The same government that mocked external factors as excuses for economic mismanagement is now using the Middle East crisis as justification for crude oil price volatility. This is the height of hypocrisy and political opportunism,” it stated.
According to the statement, Ghanaians deserve both reliable electricity and freedom from excessive fiscal burdens, “objectives that are entirely compatible under competent leadership,” it added.
GNA
Kenneth Odeng Adade