Suspend sanitation, stabilisation levies – NDC urges govt

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has urged the government to suspend some taxes on petroleum products as a remedial measure to cushion consumers against the continuous hike in fuel prices.

It mentioned the Price Stabilisation and Recovery Levy, and the Sanitation and Pollution Levy on petroleum products should be suspended to reduce the percentage of taxes on the total price build-up.

“Failure on the part of the government to keep the fuel prices at affordable levels can badly affect the livelihoods of the citizenry since the country in recent times is rolling back on its progress, growth and development and times are difficult for the youth and families alike, “ the party noted.

Opare Addo, the National Youth Organiser of the NDC, who addressed the media on Monday demanded that the Price Stabilisation and Recovery Levy be suspended without fail and the irrelevant Sanitation and Pollution Levy all added to the petroleum price build-up be cancelled.

He said fuel prices had gone up by at least 50 pesewas per litre at the pumps since February1, 2022, petrol and diesel are currently being sold at an average of GH₵ 7.3 and GH₵ 7.4 per litre respectively.

According to Mr Addo, the hike had been blamed on rising cost of Brent crude on international market, with some analysts projecting fuel prices could hit GH₵8.0 per litre by March this year if situation on world market progressed.

He disclosed that the National Youth Wing of the NDC would on Thursday, February 10, 2022, will stage a demonstration dubbed “Yentua,” to wit: “We won’t pay” to oppose proposed Electronic Transactions Levy (e-levy).

“The rationale behind demonstration is to among others, support Minority in Parliament to resist passage of the e-levy bill, demand resolution of prolonged industrial action by University Teachers Association of Ghana, and payment of gratuities for trainees of Nation Builders Corps however, the NDC is not against taxes,” Mr Addo disclosed.

Bernard Mornah, Convener for the pressure group, Justice for Ghana Movement, said the group would persistently resist the e-levy until it was completely withdrawn from Parliament which had potential to collapse businesses, particularly those that relied on mobile money for daily transactions.

George Aboah, convener of Coalition of Concerned University Students, appealed to the government to urgently resolve impasse with University Teachers Association of Ghana for academic activities to resume. -GNA