Ghana's Mahama Orders Temporary Suspension of Petrol Levies

Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama has directed the country’s Ministers of Finance and Energy and Green Transition to temporarily remove certain levies and margins on petroleum products to cushion Ghanaians from the impact of rising fuel prices, which have been triggered by global oil supply disruptions due to the US-Israel war on Iran.

The suspension of the taxes is expected to last for at least four weeks.

It is not yet clear which specific taxes will be suspended, but Minister of Government Communications Felix Kwakye Ofosu stated that the details of the suspension would be announced before the next pricing window on April 16.

The President gave the directive at an emergency Cabinet meeting held on Thursday, April 9, after returning from an official trip to France.

Fuel prices have escalated, with petrol currently selling for more than GHS13 per litre, while diesel is selling for more than GHS17 per litre, as a result of the Middle East tensions.

This has led to calls from various sections of the public, including industry watchers, for government intervention.

According to the directive, the suspension will be implemented for an initial period of four weeks, after which it will be reviewed and further decisions will be made based on prevailing conditions.

As part of broader efforts to ease the burden on commuters, the Minister for Transport has also been instructed to expedite the deployment of approximately 100 Metro Mass Transit buses.

The President further directed that fares on these buses be reduced to provide affordable transport options for the public.

Additionally, President Mahama reminded ministers and senior government appointees to strictly adhere to the existing ban on fuel allowances, as part of efforts to reduce public expenditure during this period.