Minority MP's Walk Out On Gov't  Imposed 17.5% Special Petroleum Tax 


The Minority Caucus in Parliament staged a walkout to register their disapproval of government’s decision to impose the 17-point-5 percent Special Petroleum Tax on Ghanaians.

Earlier there were heated debates for and against the tax. Despite this the one sided House approved the Special Petroleum Tax Bill 2014 after taking it through all the stages a few hours after the 2015 Budget was presented.

The imposition of the tax will lead to marginal increases in petroleum products.

Presenting the Report of the Finance Committee for approval of the Special Tax the Chairman of the Committee, James Avedzi said the revenue target for 2015 has taken into account the revenues to be raised from the Special Petroleum Tax from this month to December 2015.

To this end the Bill was considered to be of urgent nature hence the need to pass it in one day.

Radio Ghana's Parliamentary correspondents Dominic Hlordzi and Augustus Acquaye.report that the 2015 budget statement and economic policy of government outlined fiscal policies aimed at creating an even tax regime.

The budget outlined other tax administrative measures geared towards improving efficiency in revenue generation. 

According to the Chairman of the Finance Committee James Avedzi the Special Petroleum Tax Bill is part of the tax measures adopted by government to increase revenue generation and improve revenue collection from petroleum products. He said the tax will affect petrol diesel LPG, Natural Gas and Kerosene. 

The MP for New Juaben South Dr. Assibey-Yeboah says the tax will bring untold hardship on the people as any increase in petroleum prices will mean an increase in goods and services.

In supporting the approval of the Petroleum Tax the Member for Ketu South Fiifi Kwetey explained that government needs resources to provide social services hence the need to raise enough money through taxes to execute development projects.


.Government fiscal policy for next year according to the Finance Minister will be driven largely by new tax policy measures.

Meanwhile, the Minority Caucus in Parliament staged a walk out during the consideration of the Special Petroleum Tax Bill 2014. 

The Deputy Minority Leader Dominic Nitiwul says his side's move was to protest what he calls an obnoxious law. 

He called on Ghanaians to reject the new law. 

GBC