This is not the time to impose more taxes – Ernesto Yeboah slams government – Nsemkeka
Leader of the Economic Fighters League, Ernesto Yeboah, has expressed strong opposition to the recent parliamentary approval of a new petroleum levy, describing it as an ill-timed burden on Ghanaian citizens already struggling with economic challenges.
The bill, which introduces a GH¢1 levy on petroleum products, was passed late on Tuesday, June 3.
The government intends for the levy to generate additional revenue to help address the country’s significant energy sector debt and to ensure a stable power supply.
However, Mr Yeboah argued that the timing of the levy is inappropriate given the current economic hardships faced by Ghanaians.
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“It is obvious that the people of Ghana are already reeling under serious economic crises. This is certainly not the time for more taxes. It is actually a time for relief,” he stated firmly.
He criticised the government’s handling of the situation, suggesting that it reflects the same disregard for public welfare that characterised the previous administration.
“What makes this even more painful is that we are coming from an administration that did not take us seriously and left many of us wounded. We thought this new government would be better, yet the way this levy was imposed feels disrespectful and traumatic,” he said.
He also questioned the government’s decision to scrap the popular Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) only to replace it with another levy that appears to demand even more from citizens.
“How much were we paying for the E-Levy? You scrapped it as a political promise, and now you bring in another levy that seems to take even more from us,” he remarked.
Mr. Yeboah encouraged President Mahama to explore alternative measures to ease the country’s financial burden without imposing new taxes on the public.
Drawing a comparison with Burkina Faso, he noted:
“They are running a modest government and have not introduced additional levies. President Mahama and his administration can do the same.”
He suggested practical cost-cutting steps such as removing CEOs from government payrolls, cutting unnecessary fuel taxes, and abolishing tax concessions granted to companies exploiting natural resources.
“Instead of placing more taxes on fuel, the government should apply stabilisation measures and require specific companies to contribute more because they have exploited our resources for a long time,” he said.
He further challenged the government to address the management of Ghana’s natural resources beyond gold, asking what steps President Mahama is taking in that regard.
“You have partially done this with gold, but what about other natural resources? What is being done to abolish tax concessions?” he questioned.
He emphasised the public’s pain and frustration over the levy’s introduction.
“This is not the time for such a levy. It is painful, especially when the government is still enjoying goodwill from the people,” he said.