By Patrick Ofoe Nudzi
Accra, Aug. 1, GNA – Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Madam Emelia Arthur may engage the Energy Ministry and the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) over the impact of Parliament’s removal of the subsidy on marine gas oil.
She said the subsidy removal was affecting semi-industrial fishing vessels that relied on marine gas oil for operations.
“We shall have a conversation about it and see if there are any interventions on it that are necessary,” Madam Arthur stated at a media engagement in Accra on critical issues confronting Ghana’s fisheries sector.
The meeting also addressed the menace of light fishing, a harmful practice threatening the marine ecosystem and public health.
Madam Arthur, who is also the Member of Parliament for Shama, said the tax exemption on marine gas oil had failed to serve its intended purpose of supporting fisherfolk, instead becoming a conduit for hoarding and other illegalities.
“No action has been taken without reason. So, we have to sit up in how we manage opportunities that the country gives us in doing our work,” she said.
Parliament recently passed the Energy Sector Levies (Amendment No. 2) Bill, 2025, which removed the government subsidy on marine gas oil and increased the Energy Sector Shortfall and Debt Repayment Levy by 193 pesewas per litre.
The government said the measure was aimed at curbing abuse and smuggling associated with the fuel, which had compromised the integrity of the subsidy programme.
The revised levy is expected to generate GH¢71 million in revenue for the State.
The Minister also noted that some outstanding debts had been settled, adding that the sector’s contribution to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) had improved.
“As a policymaker, we are verifying to see whether the policies we have put in place are working and contributing to the growth or we need to make some revisions,” she said.
Industry stakeholders, including fishermen, fishmongers, canoe owners and community members from the marine, inland and aquaculture value chains, participated in the engagement.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey