Middle East Crisis: Scrap GH¢1 Fuel Levy – AGI to Government

The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has urged the government to immediately scrap the GH¢1 fuel levy, warning that its continued implementation amid rising fuel prices triggered by ongoing tensions in the Middle East is worsening operational costs for local businesses.

During a meeting with the Minority Caucus, AGI President Kofi Nsiah-Poku, together with former AGI President Dr. Humphrey Ayim-Darke, expressed concern that companies may soon be forced to increase prices if the levy remains.

According to Mr. Nsiah-Poku, the levy is no longer sustainable for industry players, especially as businesses face increased costs without corresponding relief.

“It is important at this point that we start talking about the removal of the GH¢1 to bring our cost of operations down. At that point we could absorb because we had to balance it with the appreciation of the cedi, but if nothing is done about it now, then we will also begin to look at our operational cost to start increasing prices which we do not want to touch,” he cautioned.

Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei disclosed that the caucus plans to establish a dedicated working group to consolidate the issues raised by AGI and translate them into practical policy recommendations for the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

She said the group will operate off-camera to develop solutions aimed at shaping the party’s future policy direction.

“That working group will be working outside the camera and come up with solutions. To us as a ready governance group, we will ensure that the mistakes that we committed, we will challenge ourselves to amend all those mistakes, come on board with you and ensure that we will come back to power and begin to work well with you,” she assured.

The call comes as fuel prices in Ghana continue to surge, with industry players warning of potential ripple effects across the economy if relief measures are not introduced.