The Executive Secretary of the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC), Duncan Amoah, has renewed calls for the government to reassess taxes on petroleum products, arguing that the appeal is made in good faith as global fuel prices continue to climb.
Speaking on The Big Issue on Citi FM on Saturday, March 21, Amoah said the current pricing environment makes it increasingly difficult for consumers to absorb the cumulative impact of multiple levies, including the GH₵1 fuel charge.
“It is a call that we had made that the government should consider lowering the taxes in the face of global spikes in fuel prices, and that is without malice, mischief, or anything. You would want a situation where it is a win-win for everybody. The government cannot continue to pass on every single one of the taxes to the consumer to bear,” he said.
His remarks come amid renewed debate over the GH₵1 Energy Sector Levy, with the Minority in Parliament calling for its repeal on grounds that the liabilities it was introduced to address have largely been cleared.
Fuel prices remain elevated, with diesel retailing at about GH₵15.60 per litre and petrol above GH₵12.40 per litre. Critics argue the continued application of the levy risks worsening cost pressures for households and businesses.
Amoah, speaking earlier on Eyewitness News on March 18, said the scope of the review should extend beyond the GH₵1 levy to include other charges such as the price stabilisation and recovery levy and the special petroleum tax. He noted that while these measures were introduced to address specific challenges, including cushioning premix fuel distribution and offsetting periods of low crude prices, they have since evolved into steady revenue sources for the state.
He warned that sustained geopolitical tensions in the Gulf could trigger further increases in pump prices in the weeks ahead, reinforcing the case for tax relief. “There is a good use for the GH₵1 levy, but we should start preparing to do something about it in earnest,” Amoah added.
Source:Citinewsroom
