The Minority Caucus in Parliament is intensifying pressure on the Mahama-led government to completely repeal the controversial Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Act, 2025—popularly dubbed the Dumsor Levy—after the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) suspended its implementation just days before it was set to take effect.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday, the Caucus rejected the government’s decision to merely postpone the levy, insisting it amounts to nothing more than political damage control in the face of public outrage.
“A postponement is not a solution. It is an evasion of responsibility,” the Minority declared, calling for an urgent recall of Parliament to permanently strike down the law.
The group criticized the government for what it described as a “reckless and insensitive policy” that would have imposed additional financial burdens on Ghanaians already grappling with a high cost of living. According to the statement, the timing and nature of the tax hike reveal a “dangerous disconnect” between the administration and the real struggles of ordinary citizens.
The Minority also took issue with the official explanation that global crude oil volatility—particularly stemming from the Iran-Israel conflict—necessitated the delay. The caucus described this rationale as hypocritical, noting that the same government had previously chastised its predecessor for blaming external shocks.
“This excuse is not only dishonest but ironic. The administration cannot condemn one government for invoking global factors and then turn around to do the same when caught off guard,” the statement read.
While the government has defended the levy as a measure to stabilise the energy sector and address legacy debts, the Minority rejected this premise. They argued that energy sector inefficiencies, not the lack of taxation, are at the heart of current challenges.
Specifically, the statement cited operational failures at ECG, deteriorating metering systems, and the abandonment of the Loss Reduction Programme introduced by the previous administration as key reasons for the power crisis, not inadequate financing.
“Blaming this crisis on the levy’s suspension is intellectually lazy and politically dishonest,” the Minority said, warning against scapegoating the public for policy missteps.
The Caucus further reminded the Mahama government of its electoral commitment to alleviate economic pressures, not introduce new ones. They vowed to resist what they termed “regressive fiscal policies” and called for a more transparent and inclusive approach to energy sector reforms.
As public sentiment continues to mount against the now-suspended levy, the Minority’s call for repeal adds a new dimension to the policy debate—placing Parliament squarely at the center of what may become a defining political issue in the months ahead.
