Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, is demanding the immediate and complete repeal of the Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Act, 2025 — widely referred to by the public as the “Dumsor Levy.”
Describing the government’s recent indefinite suspension of the levy’s implementation as a “shameful retreat,” Afenyo-Markin criticized the move as both inadequate and disrespectful to Ghanaians struggling under economic pressure.
“This postponement is not a solution. It is a clear admission of failure and poor planning,” he stated in a press release on Saturday. “It only highlights the government’s incompetence and hypocrisy.”
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) had earlier announced that the levy, which was due to take effect on June 16, had been suspended following consultations. But for the Minority Leader, this only confirms the lack of proper groundwork.
“They rushed through this law without adequate stakeholder engagement, and now they’re backtracking under pressure. This is trial-and-error leadership at its worst,” he added.
Afenyo-Markin went further to accuse the government of double standards. “This is the same administration that criticized us for pointing to global factors like COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war. Now they’re using the Middle East crisis as a scapegoat? That’s political dishonesty at its peak.”
The levy, according to the government, was intended to help stabilize the energy sector and service longstanding debts. However, the Minority remains unconvinced.
“Akufo-Addo managed to maintain power stability without overburdening Ghanaians with extra taxes. Why can’t this government do the same?” Afenyo-Markin questioned.
He stressed that the current challenges in the energy sector are structural and not financial. “We have outdated meters, faulty billing systems, and communities without access to electricity. It’s not more taxes we need — it’s genuine reforms.”
The MP also aimed at the Ministry of Energy, accusing it of abandoning the Loss Reduction Programme initiated under the previous administration. “There are local suppliers ready to provide meters, yet the programme is at a standstill. Meanwhile, people are crying out for basic access. Where is the leadership?”
Afenyo-Markin is urging Parliament to reconvene immediately and repeal the levy under a certificate of urgency. “Ghanaians deserve relief, not another burden. We will not accept half measures.”
He concluded with a powerful call to action:
We call on everyone to reject this harsh levy. We deserve a government that keeps its promises and understands our economic reality.
