The Ghana Union of Traders Association is urging the government to abolish the recently introduced Emission levy.
The Emission Levy, introduced by the Ghana Revenue Authority on February 1, 2024, seeks to impose a levy on carbon dioxide equivalent emissions on internal combustion engine vehicles.
This move comes in response to the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) threatening to raise transport fares in light of the levy’s implementation.
In an interview with Citi News’ Elizabeth Kabukie Ocansey, the first vice chairman of GUTA, Clement Boateng, disclosed that this could have potential adverse effects on businesses.
“The impact it will have on businesses is that it is going to definitely affect the prices in one way or another because once the levy is implemented it means drivers are going to incur additional costs, and once they incur the additional cost, we don’t have any option other than to pass it on to the consuming public. That is the reason why GUTA would like to take this opportunity to add its voice to GPRTU that the government should suspend the implementation of this emission levy.”
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Meanwhile, The Okada Riders Association is set to petition the Ministry of Transport to reconsider reducing the emissions levy.
The Emissions Levy Act, 2023(Act 1112), imposes a levy on carbon dioxide equivalent emissions for internal combustion engine vehicles started yesterday.
The levy is based on the type of vehicle and its engine capacity.
Motorcycles and tricycles are to pay a fee of Gh₵75 annually while motor vehicles, buses and coaches up with 3000 centimetres are to pay a fee of Gh₵150 annually.
Also, larger vehicles above 3000 cubic centimetres cargo trucks and articulated trucks are to pay Gh₵300 anually.
As a result of this, the secretary of the Okada Riders Association, Majid Amid has lamented the amount of been High and their intention to petition the government.
In an interview, Majid Amid mentioned that, “it is too much. People are suffering. You didn’t give us jobs, you did not do anything for us and yet you want us to pay Gh₵75. We will hold another meeting and write a petition to the government and the whole Ghana that enough is enough”.
“If they do not reduce the levy, we will go out and demonstrate against this government. By Monday the petition will be ready and we will send it to the Minister,” he said.
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