The governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for South Tongu, Maxwell Kwame Lukutor, says decisions on the removal of the GH ₵1 fuel levy will be guided by prevailing conditions on the ground, adding that action will only be taken when it is deemed necessary.
His remarks come amid calls from the parliamentary minority to scrap the levy, which they argue is placing an unbearable burden on Ghanaians already grappling with high living costs. Collins Adomako Mensah, Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Energy Committee, made the call while speaking to journalists in Parliament on March 18.
The Minority’s concerns follow a sharp rise in fuel prices triggered by ongoing hostilities involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, as well as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking on the JoyNews AM Show on March 19, Mr. Lukutor said the government would only act when it deems it necessary, stressing that its decisions would be informed by careful assessment of the situation.
He explained that the administration would first observe and understand conditions on the ground before taking any action, indicating that timing would depend on prevailing realities.
“When we deem it necessary, we will do. We will watch and understand the situation on the ground, and they will decide to take it on,” he said.
Responding to suggestions from opposition parties, he maintained that the government would not rely on external advice in shaping its decisions, stating that while such views may be expressed, they would not influence policy direction in this context.
“They can always make a call, but sincerely, we won’t take advice from them in that context,” he noted.
He further noted that greater consideration would be given to the views and experiences of ordinary citizens when evaluating the impact of government policies.
Warning against repeating past mistakes, Mr Lukutor emphasised the need for prudence, saying the government would avoid decisions that could mirror previous outcomes and would instead act responsibly when the time is right.
On the importance of sustaining government revenue, he cautioned, “Taking away sources of revenue for the country without putting things together will plunge us into a dead situation that we don’t want to take Ghanaians into.”
Citing the cocoa sector as an example, he explained that excessive reliance on cushioning measures could lead to unsustainable debt levels, with the potential for past economic challenges to resurface if not managed carefully.
He reiterated that effective economic management requires discipline and prudence, expressing confidence in the leadership of key economic managers, including the President, the Finance Minister, and the Governor of the Bank of Ghana.
Mr Lukutor added that the government would proceed with its plans on the fuel levy only when conditions justify such a move, urging the opposition to observe how the administration navigates the situation.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com
