The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) are urging the government to provide clear timelines and transparency on the upcoming GH¢1 fuel levy, set to take effect on July 16, 2025.
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After initial resistance, the GPRTU has withdrawn its opposition following stakeholder consultations. However, the union is calling for a definite timeframe for the levy and assurances that it won’t become a permanent tax.
Abass Imoro, GPRTU’s Industrial Relations Officer, emphasized that while the current pricing window shows a slight increase in diesel prices and a marginal drop in petrol, further hikes could force fare increases.
“We appeal to authorities to declare a specific period, six months or a year, so this levy doesn’t become indefinite,” he said.
COPEC echoed the call for accountability. Executive Secretary Duncan Amoah warned that the levy must not follow the path of previous taxes that became permanent fixtures without proper use.
“This new GH¢1 levy must be time-bound and targeted at achieving full cost recovery in the energy sector,” Amoah stated. “If managed well, the sector could become self-sustaining, sparing drivers and consumers from continuous hardship.”
Meanwhile, the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies says its members are gearing up for the levy’s implementation on July 16, which aligns with the second fuel pricing window of the month. However, Chamber CEO Dr. Riverson Oppong noted that global and local market volatility makes it too early to determine the levy’s actual impact on pump prices.
As concerns grow, stakeholders are calling for transparency, defined timelines, and a focused application of the levy to benefit Ghana’s energy sector without burdening transport operators and consumers.
