Presidential Advisor and Aide to Ghana’s President, Joyce Bawah Mogtari, has waded into the controversy surrounding the GH¢1 levy imposed on every litre of petroleum products by the government, suggesting that the levy is intended to address key issues aimed at restoring Ghana’s economy to a sound footing.
According to her, the levy aims to achieve macroeconomic stability, fix the energy crisis, safeguard jobs, and drive development and progress.
The new levy, passed by Parliament on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, under the Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, aims to raise revenue to settle over $3 billion debt in the country’s power sector.
The Ghana Revenue Authority initially set Monday, June 9, 2025, to implement it but later pushed the date to Monday, June 16, 2025, following concerns raised by the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC).
Sharing her opinion on the new fuel levy, Joyce Bawah Mogtari, in an article posted on Facebook, highlighted the importance of the new levy.
“This is not just any tax; it is an investment in national stability, energy security and long-term development,” she pointed out.
For her, the levy is timely, stating, “As Ghanaians, we have weathered many difficult storms. We now have the opportunity to build lasting solutions. By contributing a small, manageable amount per litre today, we will together ensure a more secure, reliable energy future for all as we #reset Ghana.
“And let us not lose sight of the broader picture. With responsible governance, active citizen engagement and strategic policy decisions, Ghana can move decisively beyond recovery to true transformation,” she said.
She gave an assurance that accountability mechanisms would be instituted to ensure that the levy is utilised wisely for its intended purpose.
Below is the full article
A Step Toward Energy Security: Understanding the New Energy Sector Levy
Ghana’s energy sector is at the turning point. After eight years of mismanagement and corruption, it has been burdened with significant debt and inefficiencies. The consequences of prolonged economic decline and ballooning public debt have been deeply felt.
But change is now underway. Following years of economic decline and ballooning public debt, the arrival of a new leader and a change in government are beginning to yield the fruits of disciplined fiscal management.
Inflation is on a steady decline. The cedi is strengthening and making consistent gains. Investor confidence is returning. And for the first time in years, there is a renewed sense of optimism across the country.
At such a time, difficult but necessary policy decisions become both feasible and impactful. One such decision is the introduction of a GHC1 per litre levy on petroleum products, under the Energy Sector Levy Amendment Bill.
We understand that Ghanaians have carried a heavy burden in recent years, and no new levy is ever easy to accept.
However, despite this levy’s introduction, fuel prices remain lower than they were in previous months. In practical terms, consumers will continue to benefit from reduced costs. More importantly, this levy is different. It is targeted, transparent and purposeful.
Why Now?
- Macroeconomic Stability Creates Policy Space: Ghana’s improving fiscal outlook provides the government with room to introduce targeted levies with clear benefits without further destabilizing inflation or worsening the cost of living. This policy is therefore designed not to punish, but to protect.
- Fixing the Energy Crisis for Good: For far too long, Ghana’s energy sector has been riddled with debt, inefficiencies and inadequate infrastructure financing. This levy is ring-fenced, meaning every cedi collected will go directly toward settling sector debts, stabilizing electricity generation and ensuring reliable power supply for households, businesses and industries.
- Protecting Jobs, Power and Progress: Load shedding, fuel shortages and energy debt have real human costs in lost jobs, rising production costs and missed opportunities. In this respect, this levy is a preventative measure to avoid future disruptions and safeguard Ghana’s economic future.
A Transparent and Accountable Approach
To build and maintain public trust, the government is committed to ensuring full transparency in the management of this levy. The following accountability mechanisms will be instituted:
- Publishing regular reports on how the revenue is used.
- Auditing the levy’s implementation through independent mechanisms.
- Engaging civil society to monitor its impact and provide feedback.
These measures aim to reassure Ghanaians that every contribution will be used wisely and for the intended purpose.
Shared Responsibility for a Brighter Future
This is not just any tax; it is an investment in national stability, energy security and long-term development.
As Ghanaians, we have weathered many difficult storms. We now have the opportunity to build lasting solutions. By contributing a small, manageable amount per litre today, we will together ensure a more secure, reliable energy future for all as we #reset Ghana.
And let us not lose sight of the broader picture. With responsible governance, active citizen engagement and strategic policy decisions, Ghana can move decisively beyond recovery to true transformation.
Joyce Bawah Mogtari
Special Aide&Presidential Advisor
Office of the President
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com 
The ZESCO team also paid a courtesy call on Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Mr. Lawrence Mwanza, who echoed the importance of ZESCO to the Copperbelt Province, the country’s mining engine.
Mr. Banda commended ZESCO for its efforts in promoting diversification of its energy mix amid climate-induced electricity insufficiency.
He lamented the high levels of vandalism on the Copperbelt, adding that this vice is detrimental and retrogressive to the Corporation, and implored ZESCO to intensify its engagements with civic leaders as part of mitigation measures and anti-vandalism sensitization campaigns.
The Board was accompanied by Chief Operating Officer Eng. Peter Chamfya, Director of Corporate Support Services Ms. Chama Nsabika, Director of Transmission, Operations, and Trade Eng. Lioko Sitali, and Deputy Director of Treasury and Investment Mr. Garry Monga.
Also present were hosts Divisional Manager for North Eng. Kennedy Muchanga and Senior Regional Manager for the Ndola Region Eng. Simon Nyirongo.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com 
In some parts of Meadowlands, electricity was out for four days last week, said resident Tshidiso Makamu. In other parts, there was no electricity for two days.
“There is no communication. We just find ourselves with no electricity without knowing what the issue is,” said Makamu. Community leaders say they were told the power outages were due to stolen cables.
Eskom Gauteng Spokesperson Amanda Qithi had not responded to questions at the time of publication. However, Eskom posted on X on Thursday afternoon that their technicians were unable to work in the area due to the protest.
“We urgently appeal to the community to allow our employees safe access to continue their work. Restoring electricity is in everyone’s best interest, but we will not compromise the safety of our staff,” the post read.
Protesters told newsmen that on Thursday morning, Eskom said power would be restored by 4 pm, but only if they stopped protesting. The protesters removed the debris blocking the streets to make way for Eskom’s teams.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com 
In addition, currently, 50% of rice consumed in Burkina Faso is imported. The government aims to achieve food sovereignty by producing sufficient rice domestically to reduce reliance on imports.
“Hunger and malnutrition are on the rise globally, and Burkina Faso is particularly vulnerable to this growing challenge,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.
“This first Atoms4Food assessment mission marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to harness the power of nuclear science to enhance food security. As the Atoms4Food Initiative expands worldwide, we are committed to delivering tangible, sustainable solutions to reduce hunger and malnutrition.”
The mission was conducted by a team of ten international experts in the areas of crop production, soil and water management, animal production and health and human nutrition.
During the mission, the team held high-level meetings with the Burkina Faso Ministries of Agriculture, Health and Environment and conducted site visits to laboratories including the animal health laboratory and crop breeding facility at the Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research, the crop genetics and nutrition laboratories at the University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, and the bull station of the Ministry of Agriculture in Loumbila.
“The Government of Burkina Faso is striving to achieve food security and sovereignty, to supply the country’s population with sufficient, affordable, nutritious and safe food, while strengthening the sustainability of the agrifood systems value-chain,” said Dongxin Feng, Director of the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre for Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture and head of the mission to Burkina Faso.
“Though much needs to be done, our mission found strong dedication and commitment from the Government in developing climate-resilient strategies for crops, such as rice, potato, sorghum and mango, strengthening sustainable livestock production of cattle, small ruminants and local poultry, as well as reducing malnutrition among infants and children, while considering the linkages with food safety.”
The Assessment Mission will deliver an integrated Assessment Report with concrete recommendations on areas for intervention under the Atoms4Food Initiative. This will help develop a National Action Plan in order to scale up the joint efforts made by the two organizations in the past decades, which will include expanding partnership and resource mobilization.
“Our priority now is to deliver a concrete mission report with actionable recommendations that will support the development of the National Action Plan aimed at improving the country’s long term food security,” Feng added.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com 
Israel’s operation ‘Rising Lion’ targeted dozens of Iranian nuclear sites, military commanders, and research scientists to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear bomb, which Israel considers a threat to its survival.
Oil prices spiked 13% after the attack, but gains eased to 5% early in European trade on Friday as the market began to digest the events.
Iran vowed retaliation.
It has already launched more than 100 drones toward Israel, which Israel is working to intercept, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defin said on Friday.
The 13% oil price spike on Friday was the biggest intraday move for both Brent Crude and WTI Crude since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Both benchmarks traded above $70 per barrel in early European trade on Friday.
Despite the fact that Israel’s strikes didn’t hit Iranian oil infrastructure, the oil market fears a potential disruption to oil supply from the Middle East in case of further escalation.
The worst-case scenario would be a closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the most critical oil transit chokepoint in the world close to Iran.
More than 20 million barrels of crude – around a fifth of global daily consumption – pass through the Strait every day.
Source: Oilprice.com 
