An Air India flight from Phuket in Thailand to India’s capital New Delhi received an onboard bomb threat on Friday and made an emergency landing on the island, airport authorities said.
All 156 passengers on flight AI 379 had been escorted from the plane, in line with emergency plans, an Airports of Thailand official said.
The aircraft took off from Phuket airport bound for the Indian capital at 9.30 a.m. (0230 GMT) on Friday, but made a wide loop around the Andaman Sea and landed back on the southern Thai island, according to flight tracker Flightradar24.
The incident follows the crash of an Air India flight in Ahmedabad on Thursday shortly after takeoff, in which more than 240 people were killed.
AOT did not provide details on the bomb threat. Air India did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Indian airlines and airports were inundated with hoax bomb threats last year, with nearly 1,000 hoax calls and messages received in the first 10 months, nearly 10 times that of 2023.
China has introduced a zero-tariff policy for exports from 53 African nations that have formal diplomatic ties with Beijing. This move aims to boost trade with the continent and strengthen China’s economic role in Africa.
However, Eswatini, the only African country that still maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan, is not included. This decision reflects China’s strict commitment to its “One China” policy, which does not recognise Taiwan as an independent nation.
The announcement came after high-level meetings in Changsha, Hunan Province, between China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and representatives from African countries. A joint communiqué issued after the talks confirmed the agreement.
China’s removal of tariffs is part of its strategy to deepen its trade and investment connections with Africa, especially at a time when global trade tensions are rising. The joint statement issued by China and African officials criticised increasing protectionism, particularly recent tariff hikes by the United States under President Donald Trump.
The U.S. has raised tariffs—some as high as 50%—on imports from several African nations, including Ghana, South Africa, and Mauritius. In contrast, China is promoting its zero-tariff plan as a mutually beneficial solution that supports African economies while helping Chinese companies cope with slowing demand at home.
China is already the top bilateral lender to African countries and plays a major role in developing infrastructure across the continent. This new policy is expected to strengthen its position further, as many African governments increasingly look to China for trade partnerships and development funding.
The zero-tariff move highlights China’s ambition to become Africa’s preferred economic and diplomatic partner, offering an alternative to Western nations amid changing global alliances.
For lack of knowledge and accuracy of information, people indeed perish, and this is exactly how sabouters of KGL Technology Limited are seriously perishing with their unsustainable media agenda.
However, let me use this opportunity to further educate the unrepented sabouters about the operational mandate of NLA under Act 722 and L. I. 2008(1948) as follows:
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Razak KoJo Opoku (PhD)
*LMandate of NLA
The section 2(Objects of National Lotto) and Section 4 of Act 722 are underpinning and operationalized by Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29,32, and 33 of the same Act 722 regulated by Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14,15, and 16 of Lottery Regulations, 2008(L. I. 1948).
The implications of the aforementioned sections of Act 722 and L.I. 1948 are that NLA does NOT directly have to sell lottery products to the staking public BUT through third-party companies such as Lotto Marketing Companies(LMCs via Kiosks & POSTs/TPMs, and Online LMCs, which KGL is a licensed Online Lotto Marketing company), Technical Service Providers, Collaborators, Telecos, and Suppliers. Bear in mind that, all the third-party companies are 100% Private entities.
As a matter of fact, the Provisional License of KGL Technology Limited was jointly signed by Kofi Osei-Ameyaw as the Director-General, and Togbe Francis Albert Seth Nyonyo as the Board Chairman of NLA.
The final license of KGL Technology Limited was signed by Togbe Francis Albert Seth Nyonyo as the Board Chairman, and Awuku as the Director-General of NLA.
Legal Backing of KGL- NLA Contract
There is absolutely NO legal violations, and absolutely NO state capture agenda by KGL that contravenes Act 722.
With the greatest of respect, the Solicitor-General representing the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice on the Board of NLA who was re-appointed by H.E. John Mahama would NEVER allowed such legal violations to occur in relations to KGL-NLA Contract.
The contract of KGL went through all the right processes of law, and proper scrutiny in accordance with Act 722, L. I. 1948 and other relevant laws of Ghana.
The current arrangement between NLA and KGL is 100% ethically right and 100% LEGALLY right under Act 722 and L. I. 1948.
Section 2(2) and Section 4(1) are strictly implemented using Sections 5(1), 6, 7, 8, & 9 of Act 722, and Sections 12, & 13 of L.I 1948. Also, Section 15 of Act 722 is implemented using Sections 16, 28, 9 & 10 of Act 722, supported by Sections 7, 12 and 13 of L. I. 1948.
Therefore, it is very myopic for anyone to conclude that Section 2(2), Section 15 and Section 5(1) are impediments to the licensing of Private entity like KGL Technology Limited by NLA to operate 5/90 lottery products via short code(USSD) and online space.
Furthermore:
1. KGL Technology Limited is selling National Lotto products empowered by Sections 12 of L. 1. 1948 fully supported by Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 16, and 20 of Act 722.
Sections 13, 14, and 16 of L. I. 1948 empowers KGL Technology Limited to collect proceeds of NLA without pre-finance nor logging such proceeds with NLA. This is rightfully so, because NLA does NOT pay any commission to KGL as stated under Section 28 of Act 722.
Sections 2(4), 25, & 26 of Act 722, and Section 13(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 11) of L. I. 1948 empowers KGL Technology Limited to pay winning tickets to the staking public.
Let’s me reiterate that, it is absolutely FALSE that in the absence of KGL Technology Limited:
1. NLA can generate GHS 6 billion annually in revenue.
2. Deliver over GHS 3 billion in gross profit, and
3. If properly optimized, can earn up to GHS 12 billion in revenue, and GHS 5 billion in profits annually for national development.
Even Ghana Revenue Authority(GRA) or Bank of Ghana(BoG) cannot even dream of such aforementioned figures, not to talk of games of chance or running of highly volatile industry like lottery whereby winning ratios can easily exceed revenue generated on daily basis leading to debts and deficit for the NLA. In fact, there is no historical data or current scientific data that supports the aforementioned figures quoted by people who are seriously ignorant and misinformed about the lottery industry in Ghana.
What Ghana and NLA Stands to Gain with the continuous existence of KGL Contractual agreement with NLA are as follows:
1. Generation of substantial amount of revenue to the State. Absolutely no public funds will be lost.
Create sustainability for the National Lottery Authority(NLA) as well as empowers NLA to strengthen its legal and regulatory authority especially in the digital space.
Ensure that NLA compete fairly and squarely against the illegal lottery operations in Ghana as well as empowers NLA to take the full dominance in the digital space.
Operate always in accordance with Act 722 and L. I. 1948, and never will KGL ever attempt any entrenchment of State capture at NLA.
Consistently deepen public confidence in democratic governance by assisting NLA to generate revenue in the digital space, pay winning tickets promptly on behalf of NLA, as well as commit to undertaking CSR activities in full alignment with Section 2(3) of Act 722.
The rants and demands by any group of people or sabouters against KGL in relation to cancellations of KGL Contract with NLA is indeed laughable. If Mahama’s government, the Board and Management of NLA are willing to pay a judgement debt of US$ 20 Billion then they can proceed with the cancellations of KGL Contract.
There is no justification to call for restoration of legal compliance with Act 722 because there is NO violation of any sections of Act 722 by KGL-NLA Contract.
The Legal Exclusivity license of KGL is purely in the interest of NLA, and also serves as insurance for both NLA and KGL in highly volatile industry like lottery operations.
An independent forensic audit is probably needed for the contract of :
1. NLA-Lots Services Ghana Limited.
NLA-Simnet Ghana Limited.
NLA-B2B License under Act 722 because NLA has no legal rights to license B2B companies under Act 722. NLA can only license Private Lotto Operators(B2B) under Act 844, and accordingly share the proceeds from the license fees with Veterans Administration, Ghana(VAG).
All other third-party contracts serving as liabilities and taking huge amount of monies from the National Lottery Authority.
NLA-Blue Star Lotto arrangements.
The Real Problems at NLA
After carefully scrutinizing all the third-party contracts with the National Lottery Authority(NLA), we can authoritatively state that, the contract between NLA and KGL Technology Limited is the best so far since the establishment of the National Lottery Authority(NLA), further creating value for money to the Authority.
All third-party contracts at NLA takes money away from the Authority EXCEPT KGL Technology Limited which rather gives substantial amount of money to the Authority on yearly basis at no cost and stress to the Authority.
Below is the Direct Cost Expenditures of the National Lottery Authority(NLA) on daily basis:
Payments of Lotto Prizes(winning lottery tickets) – 50% of the gross revenue generated.
Payments of lotto Commission to the Lotto Marketing Companies operating via the kiosks using the Lots Services Ghana Limited platform or Simnet Ghana Limited platform – 25% of the gross revenue generated.
Payments of Technical Services Fees to Lots Services Ghana Limited – 5% of the gross revenue generated.
Payments of Technical Services Fees to Simnet Ghana Limited – 6% of the gross revenue generated.
Payments of Technical Services Fees to other service providers – 6% of the gross revenue generated.
Payments of GPRS Fees to the Telecos – 1.5% of gross revenue generated.
Payments of Thermal Paper Rolls Fees to Suppliers – 1.5% of the gross revenue generated.
Payments of Maintenance Fees (POSTs Fees) to Lots Services Ghana Limited – 1% of the gross revenue generated.
Therefore, Total Direct Cost Expenditure on Lotto Intake (84%) excluding Other Revenues. The remaining 16% shared between NLA(about 6%) and the Consolidated Fund(10%). This implies that, the National Lottery Authority(NLA) only retains 6% of the gross revenue generated from daily sales of lottery products. The 6% is subsequently used by the Authority to service its indirect Cost Expenditures.
Per the existing arrangements between NLA and the third-party contracts, the Authority is always indebted to the Technical Service Providers, Telecos, Suppliers of thermal paper rolls, staking public, and Lotto Marketing Companies, and this indebtedness always become worsening whenever the winning ratios after draw exceeds 50% of the gross revenue generated.
The best form of Public-Private Partnerships(PPPs) between National Lottery Authority(NLA) and the technical service providers such as Lots Services Ghana Limited, and Simnet Ghana Limited should have been the charging of 6% on net profit after the deductions of Lotto Prizes (50%), LMC/ Receivers Commission (25%), Thermal Paper Rolls(1.5%), GPRS Fees of Telecos (1.5%), and the cost of Sales and Marketing Expenses.
The Lots Services Ghana Limited signed an initial contract of fifteen(15) years with NLA subject to review and renewal whereas Simnet Ghana Limited also signed ten(10) years contract with NLA subject to review and renewal.
The Indirect Cost Expenditures of the National Lottery Authority is as follows:
Selling, Distribution, and Marketing Expenses including Business Promotions, CSR Activities, Good Cause Expenses, Sales Rewards, Courier Services, and Others.
Personal Emoluments such as Salaries, Wages, Staff Training, Staff Allowances, Staff Insurance, and Other Staff Cost.
Maintenance Cost of PPE ( Plant, Property, and Equipment).
ICT Problems at NLA
The information technology infrastructure of National Lottery Authority(NLA) is not highly secured as compared to the indigenous banks and any other financial institutions in Ghana. Due to these unsafe infrastructure, NLA is not able to pay winners directly from its ICT systems.
To attest to this, NLA has Collaboration agreements with Nsano Ghana Limited and Etransact Ghana Limited which pay small amount of lotto prizes to winners on behalf of NLA. If indeed NLA has the secured ICT infrastructure it would definitely not need such payment Collaborations.
As we speak the NLA together with its Technical Services Providers might NOT have ISO certifications but KGL Technology Limited has ISO Certification for its ICT infrastructures, meeting the highest international standards.
Licensing of Private Lotto Operators(B2B)
The proceeds from the licensing of Private Lotto Operators and Agents popularly known as “Banker-to-Banker Lotto” though brings in revenue to the Authority but unfortunately the revenue generated from license fees are very poor and highly insignificant considering the market dominance of the B2B lottery operations covering about 80% of the market share of the lottery industry.
Yearly, all the license fees collected from Private Lotto Operators and Agents will NOT exceed GHS 30 million.
Also, it is important to draw the attention of the current Board that all Private Lotto Operators and Agents can only be licensed under section 22 of the VAG Act 844, not Act 722, and it is very vital for the current Board and Management of the Authority to correct the errors of Awuku-Gary administration of licensing Private Lotto Operators and Agents under Act 722.
Challenges of NLA
The main challenges facing National Lottery Authority in its revenue mobilization efforts are:
1. Illegal lottery operations, constituting about 80% of the lottery industry.
Stigmatization of lottery staking.
Direct Cost Expenditures to the Technical Service Providers(6%+ 6%=12%) and Telecos(1.5%)
Rainfall, seriously affecting sales in the Lotto Kiosks.
Conclusion
The EXIT of KGL Technology Limited SHALL completely Collapse NLA. Without KGL, NLA can NEVER pay its employees, pay winning tickets, and pay their indebtedness to third-party contracts.
KGL has NEVER taken any money away from the NLA, and NLA too has NEVER paid any money to KGL Technology Limited. It is as simple as that.
KGL-NLA Contract is 100% backed by Act 722 and Lottery Regulations, 2008(L.I. 1948).
“Yɛbɛ ti nsem bebreee” against KGL so Ghanaians particularly the staking public should not perturbed.
Issued by: Razak Kojo Opoku, Former Head of PR, NLA under Osei-Ameyaw Administration
The Ashanti Regional Organiser for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who is also the Dean of all Regional Organisers, Dr. Francis Adomako, has slammed President John Mahama for bragging about the temporary cedi appreciation instead of finding solutions to the many problems in Ghana, for which reason the majority of Ghanaians voted for him.
Francois
“As I speak, nurses and midwives are on strike for better conditions of service. Contractors have not been paid. Ghanaians, who were employed by the previous government, have had their appointments terminated,” he said.
Speaking to “The New Trust” newspaper on Monday, 9th June 2025, Francois, as he is affectionately called, recalled that President Mahama promised to form a lean government but, so far, his appointees are more compared to the previous NPP government.
President John Mahama
The Ashanti Regional NPP Organiser continued, “As I speak, the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), TUTAG and CETAG are all threatening strike actions because of book and research allowances which have not been paid.”
According to him, the previous government was able to keep the lights on despite COVID-19 and Russian-Ukraine War and did not introduce any tax to keep the lights on.
“Now, the cedi is stable because of external factors. The government is not spending and because of that contractors are not being paid,” he pointed out.
He said petroleum products in the international market had come down “but the government is struggling to find money to keep the lights on.”
Francois expressed worries that rather the ordinary Ghanaian is being taxed to pay 4.5 cedis for every gallon of fuel bought.
He recalled that the NDC said the NPP was insensitive to Ghanaians for introducing E- levy which charges for sending above 100 cedis. “But they (NDC) don’t see anything wrong for asking Ghanaians to pay 4.5 cedis extra for every one gallon,” he added.
A grand durbar has been held in Kumasi to mark the 20th-year milestone of the formation of the Ashanti Catholic School Teachers’ Co-Operative Mutual Support Society Ltd (ACTCoMSS)
The group initially called Ashanti Catholic Teachers Welfare Scheme, with a few teachers, now has a total population of 3,659 members.
It was formed to support the welfare of its members through a cooperative operation.
The President of ACTCoMSS, Mr Peter Sula, speaking at the 20th anniversary and 7th biennial general meeting held in Kumasi on Friday paid a glowing tribute to the forebears for their vision and wisdom leading to the birth of the then ACT SUPPORT SCHEME, saying “This achievement is a testament to our dedication, expertise, and commitment to excellence”.
Mr Agyare (left) receiving a citation as the longest serving General Manager of the group from Mr Sarfo Kantanka.
He explained that the theme for the anniversary, “ACTCoMSS, TWENTY YEARS OF QUALITY FINANCIAL SERVICES TO MEMBERS. THE WAY FORWARD”, embodied not only the spirit but also the transformative power that drives the Society forward.
Mr Sula said the gathering at the event was a testament to their collective commitment to creating lasting positive change through the Cooperative Mutual Support Model, adding that the celebration was to learn, to challenge themselves and above all to recommit to their mission of providing quality financial services to their cherish members.
The President of ACTCoMSS stated that from a modest start with virtually nothing their total asset was GH ¢28,664,722.78 as he pledged to work very hard towards increasing its membership.
Mr George Sarfo Kantanka, the Municipal Director of Education for Asante Akim Central, who was the Guest Speaker, eulogized the leadership of ACTCoMSS for making a lasting impact on the lives of its members.
“As you move forward, remain committed to your mission, values, and members. Together, you can build a brighter future.” He said.
Mr Sarfo Kantanka urged the management and staff of the institution to embrace technology to enhance service delivery and accessibility, so that at the comfort of their homes, their members should be able to access services, including applications for loans without coming to the office.
The Guest Speaker, charged the group to explore new financial products and services that can cater for the evolving needs of members, citing for instance, considering introducing high-yielding investment products specifically designed for teachers, as well as loan limits exceeding GHC 40,000 to over GHC100,000 to make a meaningful impact on members.
The General Manager of the ACTCoMSS, Mr Gabreil Agyare Gyamfi, on behalf of the staff, pledged to work very hard to ensure that the funds of the members were safe for the purpose they contributed.
He also called on all stakeholders to continue working hard towards the development of the group since teamwork was what was expected of them all to achieve their set goals.
The event was used to present awards to long-serving officers, the most dedicated staff members, past board chairperson and found members among others, leading to the attainment of the great feat of the group.
Source:Felix A Baidoo
The Executive Director of the Good Governance Advocacy Group, Ghana, and a member of NDC Communication team, Listowel Nana Kusi-Poku has unfortunately and sadly out of ignorance miseducated the general public as well as peddled falsehood about NLA-KGL contractual relationship on Class TV(CTV).
First and foremost, let me state categorically and authoritatively that:
Mr. Alex Dadey has ABSOLUTELY NO business relationship with Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta, and that Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta has NO business connection to KGL Group.
Nana Akufo-Addo and Ken Ofori-Atta are NOT Shareholders, or Stakeholders or Investors or Benificiaries or Consultants or Board Members or Directors of KGL Group.
Respectfully, even a layman could have easily verified the company’s records before publicly attacking the entity, and I am wondering if Listowel Nana Kusi-Poku is far below an idiot?
We have seen worse attacks, misleading information, and peddled falsehoods against KGL Group in the media space since the days of Nana Akufo-Addo’s government from some leading figures of the NPP so the attacks from Listowel Nana-Poku against KGL Group is just comedic.
Moving to the operations of National Lottery Authority(NLA), per the National Lotto Act, 2006(Act 722), all the business operations of NLA are 100% PRIVATELY Managed. The NLA itself, apart from regulating, licensing, and conducting lotto draws, DOES NOT directly sell lottery products via Online or in the Lotto Kiosks. The National Lottery Authority(NLA) since its establishment in 1958 originally as the Department of National Lotteries(DNL) has always raised revenue for the State through third-party companies including Lotto Marketing Companies(previously known as National Lotto Receivers Union).
Under Section 2(4) of the National Lotto Act 722, the National Lottery Authority(NLA) is mandated to “enter into collaboration, partnership or joint venture with any person, society, association, or corporate entity, to operate a game of chance in accordance with existing laws(including Lottery Regulations 1948). However, should there be losses from the game of chance, the collaborator, partner or entity shall not be compensated by the State or from the Lotto Account provided for under Section 32”.
The questions are:
1. Has NLA ever paid any money to KGL Group for its operational losses and payments of winning tickets? Absolutely NO.
Has NLA ever contributed financial resources to KGL? Absolutely NO.
Is KGL Group taking money away from the NLA just like the technical service providers and third-party contracts at the NLA? Absolutely NO.
Has KGL Group ever defaulted in its payments to the NLA? Absolutely NO.
Has KGL Group ever conducted its own 5/90 Lotto Draws parallel to the Lotto Draws of NLA? Absolutely NO.
Is KGL Group affiliated with Nana Akufo-Addo and Ken Ofori-Atta or the New Patriotic Party(NPP)? Absolutely NO.
Was KGL contract illegally acquired from the NLA in contravention with National Lotto Act 2006,(Act 722)? Absolutely NO.
Is KGL Group undermining the revenue mobilization efforts of government? Absolutely NO.
Is KGL Group giving honest value chain to government, NLA, GRA, NCA and Bank of Ghana? Absolutely YES.
Is KGL Group a law abiding Corporate entity in the Ghanaian business environment? Absolutely YES.
Is KGL Group assisting NLA to generate revenue for the State as well as fighting illegal lottery operations & stigmatization associated with lottery staking at no cost to the NLA? Absolutely YES.
Is KGL Group giving value for money to the sustainability of NLA? Absolutely YES.
Is KGL Group duly operating as a Lotto Marketing Company, assisting NLA to be competitive in the lottery industry dominated by 80% of illegal Lottery Operations? Absolutely YES.
Is KGL Group giving money which is more valuable and substantial than any company duly licensed by the NLA? Absolutely YES.
Was KGL Group legitimately licensed under Act 722 and Lottery Regulations 1948? Absolutely YES.
Was KGL contract legally approved by the Board and Management of NLA? Absolutely YES.
To further expose the ignorance of Listowel Nana Kusi-Poku and others harboring hatred against the operations of KGL Group, it must be noted that;
KGL Technology Limited was duly licensed under Sections 2(4), 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 20 of the National Lotto Act, 2006(Act 722) supported by Lottery Regulations, 2008(L.l. 1948).
Most importantly, the representatives of Attorney-General, Ministry of Interior, and Ministry of Finance on the Board of National Lottery Authority(NLA) are NOT gullible. Such respected and well-learned personalities would definitely do proper scrutiny before approving the contract of KGL Group with the NLA.
In all humility and sincerity, I don’t think that the intelligence level of Listowel Nana Kusi-Poku is at par with the aforementioned representatives of the Ministry of Finance, Attorney-General, and Ministry of Interior on the Board of NLA.
Nation building is not based on empty hatred, Populist rants, and sponsored attacks against genuine businessmen including Mr. Alex Dadey.
As Executive Director of the Good Governance Advocacy Group, it is expected that Listowel Nana Kusi-Poku would argue his case from the standpoint of facts, accurate information and right data sources, not childishly resorting to noise-making, falsehoods, media blackmail and unjustified hatred against KGL Group and Mr. Alex Apau Dadey.
You can attack KGL but do so from the standpoint of wisdom and knowledge, not with fabrications, distortions, and maliciousness.
Issued by: Razak Kojo Opoku, Former Head of PR, NLA under Osei-Ameyaw Administration
In a twist of political irony, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), once a staunch opponent of the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy), has introduced a new GH₵1 per litre fuel levy that far exceeds the burden of the much-criticized E-Levy. This decision contradicts the NDC’s prior position as champions of the ordinary Ghanaian and raises serious questions about fairness, economic justice, and policy consistency.
This article examines the real impact of the new fuel levy, dissects its redundancy given the already existing fuel-related taxes, and argues why its imposition is economically regressive, politically contradictory, and socially unsustainable.
Razak Kojo Opoku(PhD), Author
The Reality: Ghanaians Already Paying Over 40% of Fuel Cost in Taxes and Levies
Many Ghanaians may not realize it, but every time they buy a litre of fuel, they are not just paying for the petroleum itself but are also paying more than 40% of that cost to the government through a complex web of taxes, levies, and margins. These charges have quietly but significantly inflated the pump price of fuel, making life harder for consumers long before the latest GH₵1 fuel levy was introduced.
For instance, the Energy Debt Recovery Levy, which takes GH₵0.49 per litre, was introduced to help repay legacy debts from the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and other energy sector liabilities. Then there’s the Road Fund Levy, contributing GH₵0.48 per litre, which is intended for road maintenance and infrastructure but its effectiveness remains questionable, given the poor state of many roads across the country.
Dr.Ato Forson, Finance Minister
The Energy Fund Levy, though relatively small at GH₵0.01 per litre, supports the operations of the Energy Commission. The Price Stabilization and Recovery Levy (PSRL), set at GH₵0.16 per litre, was originally meant to shield consumers from volatile fuel prices and subsidize premix and residual fuel oils yet, ironically, this levy remains in place even when fuel prices keep soaring, leaving consumers with no real sense of “stabilization.”
Ghanaians also pay a Sanitation and Pollution Levy of GH₵0.10 per litre, which aims to tackle sanitation issues. However, many citizens continue to live amidst growing waste problems and underwhelming environmental management.
Similarly, the Energy Sector Recovery Levy, at GH₵0.20 per litre, is designed to restructure and recover costs in the energy sector, a sector that continues to suffer from inefficiencies and frequent disruptions.
On top of these levies is the Special Petroleum Tax, costing consumers GH₵0.46 per litre. This tax, introduced under VAT reforms, is explicitly designed to generate revenue for the State but with limited transparency on how that revenue is utilized.
Then, there are operational and logistical margins like the Primary Distribution Margin (GH₵0.11), which covers the cost of moving fuel from coastal depots to inland areas, and the BOST Margin (GH₵0.09), which helps maintain the infrastructure of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation company.
Further adding to the cost is the Fuel Marking Margin at GH₵0.05 per litre, which goes toward tracking fuel products to reduce adulteration and tax evasion. Meanwhile, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) take GH₵0.46 per litre as their profit margin (called the Marketers’ Margin), and retailers (such as fuel stations) also take their share.
All of these charges cumulatively mean that nearly half of what you pay at the pump isn’t for the fuel itself, but for a tangle of levies and margins, and some of which duplicate each other’s purpose or have failed to deliver their promised benefits.
Against this backdrop, the newly introduced GH₵1 fuel levy by the NDC government is not just a new charge rather it is an excessive addition to an already bloated tax structure. The state is already extracting significant revenue from each litre sold. This begs the question: Why impose an entirely new fuel levy when the existing ones should already be generating billions of cedis annually?
Before asking Ghanaians to bear more burden, the government must first justify the continued existence of each of these older levies, and It must demonstrate that the funds collected have been used effectively and transparently. Without this accountability, any new tax no matter how noble its stated purpose will be viewed as unjust, insensitive, and economically dangerous.
GH₵1 Dumsor Levy: An Unnecessary and Redundant Addition
The justification given for the new levy is to fund development and energy transition initiatives particularly addressing Dumsor. However, the same objectives already exist within current levies:
1. Energy Sector Recovery Levy (GH₵0.20) and Energy Debt Recovery Levy (GH₵0.49) were both introduced to address energy-related financing gaps.
Sanitation Levy (GH₵0.10) addresses environmental concerns also cited in defense of the new fuel tax.
PSRL (GH₵0.16) exists specifically to stabilize prices yet consumers rarely benefit from such interventions, raising questions of accountability.
The GH₵1 per litre fuel levy is therefore not introducing anything new. Rather, it duplicates existing levies, without offering any new accountability framework or measurable benefit to citizens.
Economic Impact: Direct Cost Comparison of NDC GHS 1 Dumsor Levy with NPP E-Levy
Let’s compare the new GH₵1 Dumsor levy to the previous 1% E-levy.
The E-Levy, introduced under the NPP, applied a 1% charge on electronic financial transactions such as mobile money and bank transfers. Its impact was limited primarily to digital users, that is, individuals who used electronic platforms for sending or receiving money. For those who preferred cash transactions, the levy was completely avoidable.
In contrast, the fuel levy introduced by the NDC imposes a fixed GH₵1 tax on every litre of fuel purchased. This is a blanket tax that affects every Ghanaian, directly or indirectly. Whether you own a car or not, whether you live in the city or in a rural area, this levy touches you because transportation is the backbone of the economy.
Goods, food, public transport, and even electricity (in areas relying on generators) are now going to be extremely more expensive under Mahama’s Dumsor Levy.
The monthly cost difference is staggering. A typical commercial driver using about 30 litres of fuel per day will now pay approximately GH₵900 more each month just from the new levy. In comparison, if that same driver made GH₵2,000 in electronic transfers in a month, his E-Levy charge would have been only GH₵20 which is a tiny fraction.
Moreover, the economic ripple effect of the fuel levy is far more damaging. The E-Levy had minimal inflationary consequences because it targeted digital transfers rather than the physical flow of goods and services. However, the Dumsor levy raises the cost of transportation, which in turn increases the price of nearly all goods and services in the country. It drives up inflation and reduces the purchasing power of ordinary Ghanaians especially the poor masses and working class.
In essence, while the E-Levy was targeted and avoidable, the Dumsor levy is broad, unavoidable, and economically regressive.
Even for those who never use digital services, the Dumsor levy will affect their transport, food prices, electricity (via generators), and general cost of living. A trotro driver using 30 litres a day now pays GH₵30 more daily, which translates to GH₵900 monthly, a burden 45x greater than the average monthly cost of the E-Levy.
Inflationary Pressures on the Poor Masses
Fuel prices influence nearly every sector: food, transportation, manufacturing, agriculture, and logistics. A GH₵1 hike per litre means higher fares, higher food prices, and higher prices on all goods that are transported, and in everything, Inflation hits the poor hardest.
Political Contradiction: The NDC’s Reversal of Its Own Anti-Tax Rhetoric
In opposition, the NDC called the E-Levy “insensitive, anti-poor, and oppressive”, and leading figures of the NDC including Hon. Dr. Ato Forson, current Minister of Finance led nationwide campaigns against the E-levy. In fact, NDC through the influence of John Mahama then Opposition leader created serious difficulties in Parliament regarding the passage of the E-levy Act yet after winning political power has introduced Dumsor Levy of GHS 1 on every litre of fuel which is:
(a) Harder to avoid
(b) More economically damaging
(c) More inflationary
(d) More regressive especially on the poor masses who uses trotro as means of transportation.
By introducing Dumsor levy now, the NDC has committed a strategic and ethical contradiction, one that damages public trust. Ghanaians voted for relief, not reinforced hardship.
Mismanagement and Inefficiency of Existing Levies
Before introducing any new fuel taxes, the government should first account for how existing levies are managed. For example:
1. The Price Stabilization and Recovery Levy is rarely used to stabilize prices.
The Energy Sector Recovery Levy and Energy Debt Recovery Levy continue to exist with no public audit or sunset clause, even though sector restructuring was promised.
The Road Fund Levy is collected religiously, yet roads remain poor, especially in rural and peri-urban areas.
The lack of transparency and proper utilization of current fuel-related levies undermines the moral authority to impose new ones.
Conclusion: Scrap the Dumsor Levy and Rationalize Existing Ones as Stated in Section 152(Page 43) of 2025 Budget Speech
The introduction of the GH₵1 per litre fuel levy is economically unjustifiable, politically hypocritical, and socially regressive. Ghanaians are already overburdened by an excessive array of fuel-related taxes and levies. What is needed is not more taxation, but:
1. A rationalization of existing levies, that is, merging redundant ones and scrapping irrelevant ones.
Public accountability mechanisms for each fuel-related tax.
Economic relief policies, not punitive fiscal tools in a time of hardship.
The NDC must choose between governing with empathy and governing with expedience.
If Mahama’s government truly stands with the people especially the already suffering poor masses, it must scrap or suspend this Dumsor levy with immediate effect, restore trust, and begin a transparent dialogue about fuel pricing, addressing Dumsor, and taxation in Ghana.
… Signed….
Razak Kojo Opoku(PhD)
Founding President of UP Tradition Institute
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