The Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Sulemana Braimah, has criticized the government’s decision to impose a GHS1 levy on fuel, arguing that it will only burden ordinary Ghanaians while corrupt elites continue to benefit.
In a post on X, Braimah stated, “Resetting Ghana shouldn’t be about new taxes to continue to enrich elite looters. It should be about curbing the waste and looting in all sectors.”
He cited the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) scandal, saying, “If you know very well about the looting and waste at the National Petroleum Authority, why such a new levy? The scandal at NPA is far bigger than the National Service Scandal.”
Braimah’s comments echo those of other critics, including the Minority in Parliament and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party’s 2024 presidential candidate, who have also condemned the new fuel levy.
The government has defended the tax, saying it is necessary to raise funds to clear debts in the power sector and stabilize the electricity supply.
However, Braimah believes that the government should focus on eliminating waste and corruption in the energy sector instead of imposing new taxes on Ghanaians.