Scrap sanitation levy amid fuel price hikes — Miracles Aboagye

The Team Lead of The People’s Forum, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has called on the government to abolish the Sanitation and Pollution Levy, arguing that authorities must remain consistent with their earlier position that the tax is unnecessary.

Speaking on the AM Show on April 7, 2026, Mr. Aboagye stated that many Ghanaians were under the impression that the levy had already been removed, only to discover that it remains in force. This, he suggested, has created confusion and eroded public trust in government communication and policy direction.

He emphasized that the matter goes beyond simply scrapping the tax, stressing the importance of policy credibility and consistency. According to him, if the government previously indicated that the Sanitation and Pollution Levy was no longer needed, it should follow through with concrete action to eliminate it entirely.

Mr. Aboagye further highlighted the growing economic burden on citizens, pointing to the recent surge in fuel prices as a key concern. Rising fuel costs, he noted, have a ripple effect across the economy, increasing transportation expenses, food prices, and the overall cost of living.

In this context, he argued that maintaining the levy places additional strain on already struggling households. Removing it, he said, would provide some level of financial relief to consumers and businesses alike, particularly at a time when many are grappling with inflationary pressures.

While acknowledging that there may have been justification for the levy in the past—particularly in efforts to fund sanitation and environmental management initiatives—Mr. Aboagye insisted that current economic realities require a reassessment of such policies.

He concluded by urging the government to take decisive and transparent action by scrapping the Sanitation and Pollution Levy, aligning policy implementation with prior commitments and demonstrating responsiveness to the concerns of Ghanaians.