News
Parliament Approves Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill
Parliament has approved the Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025 despite fierce opposing views from the Minority Caucus.
Presenting the Bill on the floor of the House, the Minister of Finance Cassiel Ato Forson noted that, the Bill is intended to raise additional revenue to address the nation’s crippling energy sector debt and also ensure stable power supply.
The Bill which was laid under a certificate of urgency is expected levy GHS 1 on petroleum products and raise revenue to cover the energy sector’s total indebtedness which stands at US$3.1 billion as of March 2025.
The Minister assured Parliament that the impact of the new levy on ex-pump prices would be absorbed by the gains made from the strong performance of the Ghana Cedi meaning consumers would not experience an immediate price hike.
However, the Minority Caucus led by their leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin vehemently opposed the Bill, describing it as an inappropriate burden on Ghanaians and E-levy in another form.
For his part, the Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga noted that, the passage of the Bill will eventually end the persistent power crises known as “dumsor”.
“Contribute “one cedi, just one cedi” per litre of fuel to secure a stable power future” he stated.
Minister for the Interior, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, has confirmed that former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, is in prison and serving her jail term.
Speaking in an interview on Joy news, Mr. Muntaka dismissed claims that the former MASLOC boss was being held in a private location.
He said she has been in the custody of the state since she returned to Ghana.
“From the day Sedina came, she has been with us, and she’s serving her time,” he said.
The minister explained that the public is not usually told the specific prison where inmates, especially high-profile persons, are being held for security reasons.
He said even judges who sentence offenders do not necessarily know the specific prison where they are sent.
“If you want to visit her, you can write to the Prisons Service. They will talk to her, and if she is interested in you coming, she will let you come,” Mr. Muntaka stated.
According to him, disclosing the location of high-profile inmates could put their lives at risk, adding that some developed countries also keep such information confidential for security purposes.
His comments come amid public speculation over the whereabouts of Ms. Tamakloe Attionu following reports that she had returned to Ghana to begin serving her prison sentence.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Western Regional Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), ACFO I Cecil Addo, has completed a familiarization tour of major corporate and industrial institutions across the Western Region to strengthen partnerships and enhance fire safety preparedness.
The tour covered key organizations including the Bank of Ghana, GOIL PLC, Ghanstock, Western Terminals, Zen Terminal, Keda Ceramics, Takoradi International Company (TICO), Volta River Authority (VRA), Harlequin Oil and Gas, and Western Serene Atlantic Hotel.
During the engagements, the Regional Commander encouraged management of the institutions to prioritize proactive fire prevention measures by incorporating strict safety protocols into their daily operations.
Discussions also focused on improving fire readiness and strengthening collaboration between GNFS and the corporate sector.
As part of the initiative, GNFS presented firefighting equipment, including Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Dry Chemical Powder (DCP) extinguishers, as well as Fire Extinguishing Balls, to support workplace safety.
The institutions expressed appreciation for the outreach and pledged to support regular safety audits, joint emergency drills, and potential Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partnerships with the Service.
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