The Ghanaian public is reeling with frustration following the government’s introduction of a new ₵1 “Dumsor Levy” on every liter of fuel, aimed at raising funds to tackle the country’s recurring power outages, popularly known as “dumsor.”
Earlier this year, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson pledged to boost the economy without introducing new taxes, assuring Ghanaians that the government would focus instead on improving compliance and expanding the tax base through smarter reforms. This promise was seen as a beacon of hope for a population already strained by inflation and rising living costs.
However, the shift in direction has fueled public anger, with citizens and economists alike accusing the government of a policy reversal. Experts warn that introducing new taxes without a corresponding increase in economic growth is counterproductive and risks further burdening struggling households.
Former Vice President Dr. Bawumia also lashed out at the opposition, labelling the new levy a betrayal, especially since it replaces the scrapped E-levy but imposes a significantly higher burden.
Commercial drivers in Kumasi and across the country have begun resisting the new fuel tax, citing rising transport costs and worsening living conditions.
The Finance Ministry insists the levy is essential to fund emergency power interventions. But many argue Ghana deserves strategic energy reforms, not new burdens
