Chairman of Parliament of Ghana’s Energy Committee, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, has pushed back against growing public pressure to scrap or revise the controversial one-cedi fuel levy, insisting that any decision on the matter must first come from the executive arm of government before Parliament can step in.
Speaking during a media interview, the Ho West Member of Parliament stressed that Parliament is currently unable to take any immediate action because the House is on recess and the issue has not yet been formally placed before lawmakers for consideration.
According to him, the responsibility now rests with Cabinet, which is expected to assess the recent rise in fuel prices and determine whether the levy should remain in place, be adjusted, or withdrawn entirely before any parliamentary intervention can begin.
“We should not jump the gun as Parliament. The executive must first decide whether the levy stays, is adjusted, or removed entirely before the committee can take it up,” Hon. Bedzrah stated.
The one-cedi fuel levy, introduced as part of efforts to stabilise Ghana’s struggling energy sector, has become a major point of public debate following recent increases in fuel prices across the country. Government officials have defended the levy as a critical source of revenue aimed at addressing long-standing debt burdens in the energy sector and financing essential infrastructure projects beyond petroleum-related costs.
Hon. Bedzrah argued that public discussion around the levy should not focus solely on rising pump prices, warning that the broader financial health of the energy sector must also be considered.
He explained that the levy serves a strategic national purpose, particularly in supporting reforms intended to reduce energy sector debt and maintain supply stability.
Amid public criticism, the Energy Committee Chairman also sought to calm growing concerns by noting that fuel prices in Ghana remain broadly comparable to those in neighbouring West African countries, suggesting that the current pricing situation is not unusually severe within the sub-region.
He further observed that previous periods recorded even higher fuel prices and significantly harsher inflation without generating the same level of public outrage.
“In the past, fuel prices were higher, and inflation was much more severe, yet the reaction was not this intense,” he said, urging citizens to approach the matter with restraint and perspective.
Hon. Bedzrah appealed to the public to give government at least two weeks to fully review the situation and arrive at what he described as the most appropriate policy response.
He also expressed confidence in President John Dramani Mahama, saying the President remains attentive to public concerns and is expected to act in the broader national interest.
“I believe the President is listening, and whatever decision is taken will be in the best interest of Ghanaians,” he added.
The one-cedi levy continues to divide public opinion, with transport operators, civil society groups and consumers closely watching government’s next move as fuel costs remain a major concern for households and businesses nationwide. ⛽🇬🇭