The Executive Director of the Institute of Energy Security (IES), Nana Amoasi VII, has cautioned the government against any immediate introduction of new fuel taxes or levies, warning that such a move could erode public goodwill and contradict earlier promises to reduce the financial burden on Ghanaians.

This follows the government’s second postponement of the implementation of the GHS1 fuel levy hike.

Speaking in an interview on Citi Eyewitness News on Tuesday, June 17, he responded to concerns about potential adjustments to fuel pricing amidst global market developments and the local currency performance.

“It will be difficult. I am not sure Ghanaians will want to see a government that promised to ensure taxes, levies are reduced introduce one that will immediately increase prices of fuel for them and bring discomfort,” he said.

He commended the government’s earlier decision to suspend the introduction of the levy, describing it as a “smart approach” that helped avoid public backlash.

However, he noted that any future attempt to reintroduce such measures must be handled with extreme caution.

“If they do, then they are losing the goodwill of Ghanaians. They must be well-calculated in their approach if they will do it at all,” he advised.

Nana Amoasi further suggested that the government consider timing any such policy move with favourable global market conditions and a stronger cedi to minimise the impact on fuel prices at the pump.

“They should look for an instance or a window where prices on the world market are going well for consumers, where forex exposure is positive for us, so that may show that prices may come down in the long run at the pump. If that will happen, then they could be tempted to do that,” he explained.

Meanwhile, the government has indicated that it is monitoring international oil prices following the spike induced by the Iran-Israel conflict to ensure indicators are favourable before the implementation of the levy.