On July 16, 2025, fuel prices in Ghana surged by nearly 10%, with petrol averaging GH¢13.49 per litre and diesel reaching GH¢14.30 per litre in Accra, following the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government’s implementation of a new GH¢1 per litre tax, dubbed the “D levy,” for debt recovery.
The Minority in Parliament, led by Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, spokesperson on the Economy, claimed vindication during a parliamentary session, having warned that the levy would drive up pump prices despite government assurances to the contrary.
“We warned that, contrary to the government’s claim that this levy, this D levy, will not increase fuel prices, it will increase fuel prices by 8% from day one,” Nkrumah stated, criticizing the Mahama administration for ignoring their concerns. He referenced Energy Minister John Jinapor’s earlier claim that an “innovative government” could impose the levy without price hikes, noting, “The cat is out of the bag. Today, it’s gone up by an average of about 8%.” The actual increase, closer to 10%, aligns with forecasts from the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC), which predicted a 6-9% hike due to the levy and global market trends.
Nkrumah warned that the price surge, compounded by potential future rises in global crude oil prices, would ripple through the economy, increasing costs for farmers’ tractor fuel, transport fares, and food prices, exacerbating inflation, which stood at 23.2% in June 2025 (Ghana Statistical Service). “When farmers are buying fuel for their tractors and their machines, it will affect it. It will then go on to affect transport of not just people, but food items,” he said, predicting an 8% rise in general price levels. He argued that the strengthening Ghanaian cedi should have provided relief, but the levy has negated this benefit, stating, “The government is denying the people of Ghana this relief.”
Addressing the government’s claim that fuel prices remain below early 2025 levels, Nkrumah dismissed the comparison as flawed, citing global oil market volatility. Brent crude prices, at $81.77 per barrel in July 2025 (TradingEconomics), underscore this unpredictability. The Minority plans to present a detailed analysis to Parliament, arguing that many levies, including the D levy, have outlived their purpose and should be reconsidered. This development, reported by MyJoyOnline and GhanaWeb, highlights tensions over economic policy amid Ghana’s 92.7% GDP debt ratio (IMF, 2024).
