By Kizito CUDJOE
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has announced the postponement of the planned rollout of the new energy sector levy, widely referred to as the “Dumsor Levy (D-levy),” following consultations with stakeholders.
The levy, which was meant to address the country’s persistent power supply challenges and help repay energy sector debts, had been scheduled to take effect on June 16, 2025.
However, in a statement signed by Commissioner-General, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, the GRA said the implementation date had been put on hold.
“This directive is issued to postpone the implementation date of Tariff Interpretation Order (TIO) No. 2025/004 relating to the Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Act, 2025 (Act 1141),” the statement said.
The GRA noted that the increase in the Energy Sector Shortfall and Debt Repayment Levy (ESSDRL) on selected petroleum products would not come into force as planned. A new effective date will be communicated “in due course,” it added.
The decision comes as relief to many Ghanaians, who had raised concerns about the impact of additional fuel charges at a time of rising living costs and lingering frustrations over intermittent power outages.
The government has not indicated when the levy will be introduced or whether adjustments to the rate are being considered in light of the feedback.
Parliament, on June 3, 2025, passed the Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, under a certificate of urgency. The bill, introduced by the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, imposes a GH¢1 fee on petroleum products.
Following the passage of the bill, the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, said some of the revenue generated would fund liquid fuel purchases.
He said the government requires over US$1 billion in 2025 to procure liquid fuels, adding that the cost of liquid fuel is not included in the electricity tariff structure, posing financing challenges for the government.
