The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) is set to begin intensive stakeholder engagement this week with Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and other key players in the petroleum sector regarding the implementation of the new Energy Sector Shortfall and Debt Repayment Levy.
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Under the new levy, consumers will pay GH¢1.00 on every litre of petrol or diesel purchased, beginning from the second pricing window of June 2025.
The GRA says the engagement is part of its consultative approach to ensure alignment with all industry players before implementation begins. The discussions will help clarify the implementation mechanisms and provide further guidance on the levy’s application.
Chief Revenue Officer at the Customs Policy and Programmes Department, Smile Agbemenu, explained to Joy Business that such engagements are routine whenever new tax laws or levies are introduced.
“We were supposed to engage the oil marketing companies over the weekend beyond the publications, but it has been deferred to this week. So we expect discussions with them by tomorrow [June 10, 2025] just to explain further the Commissioner-General’s tariff interpretation order regarding the collection of the additional GH¢1.00 for super and diesel and the 20 pesewas for other affected fuels,” he said.
He clarified that kerosene is exempt from the levy as it was not included in the new law.
“We already have the structures in place with the OMCs, so nothing is changing operationally except the additional GH¢1.00 for petrol and diesel and the 20 pesewas collection for the other affected products,” Mr. Agbemenu added. “They are familiar with the process and know that this is how we implement such levies.”
The GRA had earlier issued an interpretation order to OMCs and other stakeholders at the ports to begin collection from June 9, 2025. However, following several consultations, it was agreed that more time was needed to allow stakeholders to adjust their systems.
The new effective date for implementation is now confirmed as Monday, June 16, 2025.
The Energy Sector Shortfall and Debt Repayment Levy, passed under the Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Act, 2025, aims to raise additional revenue to help pay energy sector shortfalls, reduce legacy debts, and stabilise power supply across the country.
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