A communications team member of the opposition New Patriotic Party, Miracles Aboagye, has called on government to scrap the sanitation levy in the wake of rising fuel prices, arguing that the tax is compounding the economic burden on Ghanaians.
According to him, the continued imposition of the levy at a time when fuel costs are climbing sharply is worsening the cost of living and placing undue pressure on households and businesses. He contended that the situation demands immediate relief measures, rather than additional charges that ultimately get passed on to consumers.
Speaking on the issue, Mr. Aboagye stressed that fuel price increments have a ripple effect across the economy, influencing transportation fares, food prices, and general service costs. He argued that maintaining the sanitation levy under such conditions is insensitive to the struggles of ordinary citizens.
“The Ghanaian people are already dealing with high fuel prices, and this inevitably affects everything—from transport to goods and services. Keeping the sanitation levy only makes matters worse,” he said.
He further questioned the effectiveness and transparency surrounding the use of proceeds from the levy, urging authorities to reconsider its relevance and impact. According to him, scrapping the tax would provide some immediate relief and demonstrate government’s responsiveness to public concerns.
Mr. Aboagye also called for broader stakeholder engagement on fiscal measures affecting petroleum products, noting that policies must strike a balance between revenue generation and the welfare of citizens.
The sanitation levy, introduced as part of government’s revenue mobilization efforts, has faced periodic criticism from sections of the public and policy analysts, particularly during periods of economic strain. With fuel prices once again on the rise, the debate over its necessity and impact has resurfaced.
Government is yet to formally respond to the latest call, but pressure continues to mount for a review of taxes on petroleum products as Ghanaians grapple with increasing living costs.
