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NPP questions government’s GH¢2 diesel relief and energy levy policy
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The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has questioned the government’s planned GH¢2 per litre reduction in diesel prices, saying the measure is temporary and does not fully offset the increase in fuel prices over the past year and a half.
Addressing a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2026, Chairman of the NPP Policy Co-ordination Committee and Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, said diesel prices remained significantly higher than they were in January 2025 despite the announced reduction.
According to him, petrol sold for about GH¢15.13 per litre and diesel for about GH¢15.49 per litre in January 2025, while current prices remained above those levels even after the proposed relief.
Mr Oppong Nkrumah said the reduction “cushions part of the increase that has already happened” but does not reverse it.
The NPP criticised the Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Act, saying the government imposed an additional GH¢1 levy on every litre of petroleum products in June 2025.
He noted that the levy took effect on July 16, 2025 and remained in force.
According to him, consumers had continued to pay the additional levy and were now receiving only a temporary reduction on diesel, while petrol prices were not benefiting from the same intervention.
Mr Oppong Nkrumah further argued that the diesel relief carried a fiscal cost because it reduced revenue that could otherwise be used for energy sector debt payments, road maintenance and deficit reduction.
He estimated that the latest intervention could cost about GH¢400 million in foregone revenue for one month.
The party also raised concerns about amendments passed by Parliament on July 31, 2026, which increased the Energy Sector Shortfall and Debt Repayment Levy on fuel oil and extended the Road Fund Levy to fuel oil.
While acknowledging the government’s effort to stop tax evasion, the NPP said the refund system for eligible industrial users had not yet been fully explained.
The party questioned how consumers who eventually bear the cost through higher prices would be compensated if companies later received refunds.
Mr Oppong Nkrumah also referred to a recent World Bank assessment that downgraded Ghana’s Energy Sector Recovery Programme from “Moderately Satisfactory” to “Unsatisfactory”.
He said the downgrade highlighted persistent losses at the Electricity Company of Ghana and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company and pointed to delayed reforms and governance challenges.
The NPP called on the government to publish the full fuel price build-up, disclose the source of financing for the diesel relief, provide details of any budgetary provision for the measure and explain how transport fares and prices of essential goods would be affected.
The party further proposed a transparent and rules-based fuel price intervention system with published fiscal limits, targeted support for public transport, food distribution, agriculture and fishing, and automatic sunset clauses linked to crude oil prices and exchange rates.
Mr Oppong Nkrumah said the NPP would pursue the matter in Parliament by filing urgent questions on the financing of the diesel relief and the continued application of the GH¢1 fuel levy.
He added that the party would monitor fuel levy collections, refunds to industry and movements in pump prices and would engage transport unions, businesses and consumer groups on the impact of current fuel policies.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Construction of a major underground stormwater drain along the Dr. Busia Highway within the Kaneshie enclave will commence on September 7, 2026.
The Project Coordinator for the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project, Dr. Kwadwo Ohene Sarfo, announced this at a special media briefing on Wednesday.
According to him, the works will involve the construction of a double-cell underground rectangular drain measuring approximately 10 metres wide and 1.95 kilometres long, stretching from Pamprom Junction to First Light Junction.
The new drain will replace the existing two 1.2-metre diameter pipes, which are inadequate to carry the volume of stormwater in the area.
Dr. Sarfo said the drain will connect at one end to the recently completed section within the Accra Academy campus and at the other end to the existing drain at Pamprom Junction.
He said the construction is expected to run from September 2026 to October 2027.
The project forms part of government’s broader flood prevention and mitigation programme aimed at addressing perennial flooding in Accra.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has withdrawn from the party’s National Chairmanship race.
In a statement issued yesterday, Chairman Wontumi who is currently serving a 20-year jail term said his decision was driven by his love for the party and his unwillingness to let his personal circumstances distract the NPP from its rebuilding efforts.
“There are moments in the life of a man when the heart wants to continue, but duty demands sacrifice. Moments when one must quietly set aside personal ambition, not because the dream has died, but because the family he loves must not be made to carry his burden. Today, I find myself at such a painful moment,” he wrote.
He disclosed that after many nights of prayer, sober reflection and consultations with his family, legal team, party elders, campaign team and trusted supporters, he concluded that his present situation must not become an additional burden on the NPP.
“This is not the decision my heart desired, but sometimes, true love requires us to release what we deeply want in order to protect what we love even more,” he added.
Recounting his years of service, Chairman Wontumi said he had served the party with everything within him, walking through heat and rain, travelling to remote communities and standing with the grassroots in both victory and defeat.
“For many years, I have served the NPP with everything within me… The NPP is not merely a political party to me. It is my family. It is my home. It is a cause to which I have dedicated a significant part of my life,” he stated.
He explained that the party, already carrying the pain of electoral defeat and the huge responsibility of preparing for the future, should not be made to carry his personal weight.
“That is why I cannot allow my present situation or personal ambition to distract the party from the difficult work of rebuilding. I cannot ask the party to carry my weight when it is already carrying the pain of defeat and the enormous responsibility of preparing for the battle ahead. I would rather carry this pain quietly than allow the party I love to suffer because of me,” he said.
He further sympathized with his supporters across the 16 regions, acknowledging that the decision would be painful for many who had sacrificed for his campaign.
“To my teeming supporters across all sixteen regions, I know this message will hurt. I know many of you will read it with tears in your eyes because I understand the sacrifices you have made for this journey,” he said.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
