Pushback against govt’s GHS1 fuel levy hike shows need for consultation – Minority

The Minority in Parliament says growing public resistance to the government’s GHS1 fuel levy hike is clear evidence that proper consultation and stakeholder engagement were not done before the policy’s introduction.

Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, MP for Ofoase Ayirebi and Ranking Member of Parliament’s Economic Committee in an interview on Citi Eyewitness News on Monday June 9, said the government’s approach to implementing the levy reflects a disregard for transparency and parliamentary procedure.

Recalling the introduction of the E-Levy, he noted that although it was unpopular, there were still extensive engagements and public consultations.

“You recall that sometime back, a 1% per transaction levy was introduced on people who elected to do electronic money transfers. There was a lot of engagement, townhall meetings, consultations – the government eventually reduced the rate, implemented it, and it was very unpopular,” Nkrumah said.

In contrast, he criticised the manner in which the new GHS1 fuel levy was introduced.

“They never mentioned it as a policy matter in the economic policy they brought to Parliament. On the day they were bringing the levy, they did not even advertise it on the order paper. Midway through – just before we ended hearing – they brought a one-page order paper addendum,” he said.

Nkrumah described how the Minority pleaded with the Majority to slow down and allow for public input.

“When we begged, literally, that let’s take our time and even invite other views… They said no, they won’t do it, and they rushed in the midnight and passed it through,” he said.

He added that the government’s recent decision to postpone the implementation date due to backlash proves that there was insufficient public consultation.

“Now you are beginning to hear a lot of pushbacks. Government is now changing the dates for implementation. It tells you obviously that there is a need to do a lot more engagement on this economic policy.”

Oppong Nkrumah concluded that the Minority’s opposition is rooted in principle, not populism. “So we are not looking for popularity. We are looking to do the right thing.”